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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Cliap..-^.__.. Copyright No. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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The Drama of Destiny Karl Hanno, 



— BT- 



A. PAUL GABBERT. 



In this Prodttctioa tb< author en4eavor» tc* define the question wiietber. w 
not, man i» the Maker of hi* own Destiny, 



PtrBUfHRD HT the ACTHOR, 

1900. 



HOFFMAM PKINTINC COMPAfTV, 
QVttfCV, IlX. 



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52536 

l_ibpt*/y <►» Conur»ss 

SEP 27 1900 

. CopyngM entry 

(d:;^, -.^ y^ /fa a 

StCCND COPY. 
OfiDt« QWISION, 

OCT 18 1900 






PREFATORY NOTE. 



If there is anything of interest to man, it is his destiny. 
Man, of whatever shade or color he may be is, more or less, con- 
cerned in the problem of life which was set before him when he 
was called upon to work out his destiny. As a man, he was en- 
dowed with a mental faculty in co- operation with his physical 
strength to make his life effective, and upon his success will de- 
pend his happiness and welfare. Considering that man is acting 
m accordance with his free will, the successful man is naturally 
inclined to the belief that man is the maker of his own destiny. 
And while he believes this, he is giving offense to his unfortunate 
brother who missed success His unfortunate brother, who was 
just as active as he was, naturally believes now that man is not 
the maker of his own destiny. And right here arises the point of 
dispute. It is not ihe intention cf the author to make an inves- 
tigation of this subject in order to explain the cause of the effect 
produced by »he action of Destiny; the author contents himself 
merely with furnishing an illustration that will show the won- 
derful dispensation of things by Destim , as regards life, over 
which man has no power. This can be shown best bA' a dramatic 
production in which the course cf event- take place in connection 
with man's activ^ity: Men are seen making plans; Destiny steps 
in and disposes of them while the observer watchss the perform- 
ance. In this way the reader can see more clearly than in any 
other way, the cause, and the effect influencing man's destiny. 

The reader is kindly reminded that this production was not 
intended for the stage and it was therefore thought unnecessary 
to specifj' the scene in the smaller details. 

The author asks his reader kindly to do him one favor. It is 
this: Begin with the first line in this book, read it through to the 
etid without skipping anything. The reason for this is because 
the reader must be made thoroughly accjuainted with the prep- 
arations for the plot laid else he will not be able to understand 
it when the plot is carried into effect. Besides this the author 
shall be glad to know that the reader is benefited by "The Drama 
of Destin\' — Karl Hanno." This edition is onW a part of the sub- 
ject and the remainder of Karl Hanno's destiny, which belongs 
to Part L, will be published in the next edition. 

A Paul Gabbert. 



Thf Drama of Destiny-Karl Hanno. 



PART I. 



SECTION 1. 

[Scene — Karl Hanno, a man of thirty-eight years, and single, 
is seated on a bundle of evergreen surrounded by trees comprising 
the edge of a forest alongside of a mountain-meadow apparently 
weury and alone. His appearance gives evidence of poverty, and 
in the face of misfortune he enters into a short conversation with 
himself. He is met by Titus, a fortner friend, a man of forty-one 
years, who is married, apparently in better circwmstances, and by 
whom, he is also overheard in the last part of his story. \ 

Kail Hanno. — And I shall now proceed to the solitary 
and live henceforth the life of a hermit. And 
there, perhaps, I shall find a method by which to 
explain at, least one mystery in which all hu- 
manity is concerned — the Invisible Force. They 
have hinted to me man holds superior rank in 
creation, but one or two object lessons have taug'ht 
me the powers that have sway over all men. I 
was told shrewdness, dash, sagacity, a fearless 
self confidence commanding success, but they could 
not explain why I suffered defeat and calamity 
when in the battle of life I behaved well with all 
this valor. Therefore do I begin to be suspicious, 
and my situation causes me alarm. Why is this 
so? Heaven knows, I am left to myself. There- 
fore shall I go to the solitary and speculate on 
mystery. 

I shall do this, and then say to Motherearth: 
Motherearth! here is thy sou that thou hast neg- 



6 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

lected as thou hast given immense treasures to 
others, by which means they indulge in happiness 
and pleasure, while I fall short of anything but a 
scanty existence; Motherearth! I have displayed 
a greater activity than those and I have strained 
my muscles in productive labor with an equal de- 
gree of intelligence, yet am I one only of the 
second or third grade; Motherearth! yes! thou 
hast sorely neglected me, and the bond of my 
poverty is evidence against thee. Therefor have 
I now refused to serve thee any longer. And 
Motherearth will then say to me: My son! thou 
art unfair in thy judgment, and the art of thy 
reasoning is committing offence against me; for I 
am in no way the cause of thy unhappiness, and 
thy grievance cannot be removed here. Behold 
the existence of a Higher Ordinance set forth by 
the all embracing intelligence. Fortune, or mis- 
fortune, is meted out to thee by destiny fixed by 
the Maker of all Things. If Motherearth is right 
the mystery is solved. If Motherearth is right I 
must unconditionally surrender to my destiny, 
fixed at the day of my birth, which after this 
period can never be changed by any manner of 
act on my part. And in my case I sav, "I see 
there is no hope for me." 
The solitary! 
{Karl Hanno is met by Titus as he starts.) 
Titus. — Karl Hanno, Prisoner of Poverty: If you will 
but listen and follow me you may at once remove 
all of your grievance and your sinking hope wil 
rise like the bright morning star, but if you will 
not follow me then I solemnly say, "I see no hope 
for thee.'' I know as well as I need to know that 
by the strength of your muscles you h^ve tried 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. T 

ever so hard to overcome the odds of poverty and 
to establish more happ)' conditions, but you have 
failed in your purpose. Now, when by the hardest 
licks indeed there is nothing- accomplished it is 
well for a man of ambition to avail himself of a 
piece of heroism if thereby he can accomplish 
great results. It sounds like a novel. 

Listen! 
"There is a deserted city on the hill 

Of crystal shape, entirely filled with gold, 
And whosoever will may go and freelj' fill 

His trunk therefrom, as much as it may hold." 
This I know, and the fact taken in its full 
measure, and followed by an act of a proper exe- 
cution will prove that while others toil all life 
to acquire treasures, here is a chance to make a 
fortune at one move. 
Only this: 
There is between us and the city filled with 
gold a river over which is neither a bridge nor a 
ferry established; this we must necessarily swim 
across, and as I have said, 'tis a good piece of 
heroism, as this is one of the greatest rivers in 
the world. But we will do it, as it can be done. 
Now let us proceed hence to this illustrious city 
and seize these earthly treasures and so secure for 
ourselves a fortune at once that by this means we 
may sweeten life to please the soul. 
Are you ready? 
Hanno- — This is Crystal City. 
lituS' — So it is 
Hanno- Listen! It sounds like a novel: 

This river I have iried to the uttermost 
To cross, but in vain, and I saw a ghost. 

And what do you suppose he said to me? 
"Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee I" 



8 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 

Ah ! you were not aware, Titus, that, inflamed by 
the thought of gold as once I was, I have tested the 
truth of this scheme and I deny that we are able to 
swim across the river. 

litus- — Explain yourself. 

HannO' — Why the tide of this river flows with such 
rapidity that whosoever shall venture to swim across 
is doomed to a fatal consequence, for such is the 
regulation of its natural laws- Hence I shall not go- 

Titus. Hanno! Hanno! You will regret this oppor- 
tunity and your mistake thereof a thousand times 
over. And that gold does not awaken your activity 
is a wonder to me, and that you are afraid of the 
river. "Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee." 
This is a matter which, if you look it straight in 
the face, is nothing in it. Shrewdness, dash, sa- 
gacity, a fearless self -confidence — these things weigh 
heavy in the scale. It is "the man of blood and 
iron" that is destined to conquer and tower high 
above his situation of despair. Such a man is then 
happy, and he can say, I see there is hope for me- 
"Kee Kee, Ree Kee!" 

Hanno. — Oh, I have.no objection; your talk is smooth 
enough, but that does not change the phase of the 
Higher Ordinance nor stay the hand of destiny. 
Shrewdness, dash, sagacity, a fearless self confi- 
dence — all of this will vanish like mist when pierced 
by the heavenly laws. Above all, a quick made 
fortune is more difficult to obtain than the one ac- 
quired by degrees, and if either of these two are 
certain, the latter be the one that I should choose. 
But I have no choice ; even hope has left me after 
all the chances of luck have gone. Prisoner of 
Poverty am I doomed to be until the day of libera- 
tion by death shall dawn. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. '' 

lituS' — Is not that awful, to be destitute of hope, a fac- 
tor so indij-pensible in life? But already have I 
made a physical examination of you, and that gives 
proof that you are adapted to accumulate great 
wealth, but success will come after you have ad- 
vanced in life. This is owing to your natural 
development — slow, but sure, and in such cases 
without fail. This period has now been arrived at- 
'Rise! and off to Crystal City we hail. 
Are you ready? 

Hanno. — No hope for me that I can see. 

( Titus staggers at Hanno'' s stubbornness.) 

Titus. — That which is most conspicuous to all living 
beings is the notable fact that life, however insig- 
nificant it may be, is subject to strife. There are 
you, and there all around you are infinite means to 
make use of. Now, what will you make of your- 
self? 

To be poor, in itself, is not disgraceful, but it is a 
crippled life. It would not be so but for the rich 
and wealthy, who formulate society; vanity rules 
the fashionable world. Again: Poverty, in itself, 
is not necessarily a misery, but it causes the domes- 
tic machinery never to run smoothly. We are able 
swimmers, perhaps the best of the best, and to swim 
across that great river is not so serious, inasmuch 
as others have swum it over from shore to shore. 
So shall we, and bring back with us a fortune such 
that the hardships of life shall trouble us no more. 
Are you ready? 

Nanno. — ^'Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee," is 
forbidden ground- 

YttuS' — Upon MothereSrth nowhere is there forbidden 
ground. You are at home wherever you can shake 
the dust, and abound in sway wherever your voice 



10 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO- 

may sound. Deny this tact and you are skeptically 
unjust. 

Hanno. — That is all right; and again it is not all right: 
In God's garden there is always a forbidden fruit. 
Remember Adam and Eve. 

Titus. — I am not here for the purpose to discuss theo- 
logical questions. I am here to help you out of 
your miserable plight and to tell you how to gain an 
earthly victory. Here I have exhausted the art of 
my persuasion. You must decide quickly. Follow 
me now or I break off and your chance will be gone 
forever ! 

Hanno. — In this whole proposed scheme, faith I have 
none; and to sell my life for gold, this I will never 
do. And I say: Go! go away! I am tired and 
disgusted with your demonstration. 

Titus. — Are these the thanks that I am getting for all 
the trouble that I have taken to make you happy, 
as I am aiming to make myself? Are these the 
thanks? Wait! I have a secret which is the key 
to the whole j^cheme and is known to me only. This 
I shall keep to myself, as you have insulted me- 
( Titus leaves; Hanno is left to himself. ) 

Hanno {solihguiztjii^). — A secret! Yes, a secret; and 
he will keep it to himself, as' I have insulted him. 
If he is right, if it is true that he is ready to do as 
much for me as he would do for himself; and if it 
is true that he knows of a secret which is the key to 
the whole scheme, I acknowledge my mistake. If 
an access to Crystal City is connected with a secret 
of which no one knows but himself, I should not 
have broken off so suddenly. But why didn't he 
tell me so? Was it because he wanted to test the 
temper of my courage? Or was it mistrust? Or was 
it my stubbornness? Anyhow, I presume it was 



THE IRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. U 

wholly my blunder. Yes! and I would be only too 
willing to follow him through thick and thin if by 
this means the high sounding fortune could be 
reached in my behalf- 
May he come back? 
Titus! O Titus! where are you? Well, Titus 
is gone. 

- [Lotus appears, servant of Titus. ) 
Lotus — Karl Hanno, Prisoner of Poverty: How did you 
dare to insult one who stands nearest to your earthly 
good, and who was ready to drag you out of poverty? 
I dare to say that his demonstration touching upon 
your welfare was not with him a matter of talking to 
the wind, for he is a man who knows at what end to 
begin to secure rapid success. As to this I may 
say that Titus is in possession of a secret of which 
I and no other man know no more than that it is the 
key with which to open the door that is closed 
against access to Crystal City, filled with gold. 
There is a gulf between life and death, and now let 
us draw a line between the two half way, assuming 
that when man first enters this world he is on this 
line. As soon as man meets with gloom and misery 
he leaves the central line and goes away from life 
toward death, for death is associated with gloom 
and misery. And vice versa: As soon as man 
meets with happiness and bliss he leaves the central 
line and goes away from death toward life, for life is 
associated with happiness and bliss. A man not 
willing to sell his life for gold is perfectly justified; 
but a man willing to sell his life for gloom and 
misery when be can escape it is quite guilt> of a 
crime. All of your earthly grievances would cease 
to be and make room for happier conditions to fol- 
low had you yielded to Titus, who holds the key of 
access to Crystal City, involved in his secret. 



12 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 

Hanno. — Where is Titus? 

Lotus. — Is gone, though not far. May I call him?* 

Hanno. — Do so immediately! 

{Lotus leaves Hanno to himself.) 

Hanno {soliloquizing). — Well what excuse will I 

make? What shall I say when he comes back? 
One thing- is sure: Whatever I will say it must 
be precisely that which will bring me back to his 
favor. But what on earth will that be? Trying 
to smooth things over in this case will not do. 
But I will do this: I shall come out right straight 
and acknowledge flatlj' my mistake, and tell 
him — what? Tell him that I — 
( Titus appears. ) 

Titus. — A.nd what is the matter now? 

Hanno.- — What is the matter! Well, what '\% the 
matter? 

Titus. — You have grossly insulted me. 

Hanno. — Insulted you! Yes! What under the sun 
have I done? I shall be punished like the wicked 
and be devoured by destiny if this, my blunder, is 
permitted to remain. Curse me for the insult 
passed through my lips. But hear me while I 
struggle in despair to make things undone. Pray, 
what is there for me to do? Speak freely. 

Titus. — Revolt against the Prince of Poverty and I 
will help you! 

Hanno. — To revolt against the Prince of Poverty is to 
revolt against the Heavenly Powers. 

Titus. — To revolt against the Heavenly Powers is to 
revolt against yourself. That which is hidden in 
the depths of the soul is yet manifest in a man's 
conduct toward himself. And you manifest too 
much piety at heart. Shrewdness, dash, sagacity 
and a fearless self-confidence is essential with a 



THK DR4.MA OF DESTiNY-KARL HANNO. 18 

man of valor; and if this is not an inborn trait 
with him, it should be cultivated. The Heavenly 
Powers which you so much imag"ine are haunting- 
you like the ghost on the sea; but they can be de- 
feated. The Heavenl}^ Powers can be defeated by a 
power greater than they are themselves. And this 
is the Power of Faith. You are the Prisoner of 
Poverty, and as the prisoner of the state is con- 
fined within the walls of rock, so are you confined 
within the walls of poverty, of which the prince 
thereof is the jailer. Good luck, better chances 
and with a brighter prospect before me, which of 
course I owe to myself, I am fortunate with some 
means so as to nieei the necessaries of life with 
greater ease and freedom; consequently I am no 
Prisoner of Poverty. But I do not stop here. For 
the troubles I bear I ask a full compensation of 
life, with all its sweetness and glory combined, 
whereas the City on the Hill filled with gold shall 
furnish the means by which to succeed in this 
most noble design of mine. You are the one that 
I shall leave behind me, and you shall be deprived 
of every aid and friendship because you have re- 
jected my design. Yet, I am not gone. The 
fact that you are tied down with scorns of pov- 
erty, and that this same poverty is the prison 
wall, makes it another fact that you cannot escape 
while poor. And I am he who is standing on the 
outside of this wall planning your escape and 
talking to you through the cellar window; for it 
is but for the sake of my sympathy and the love 
that I cherish in my bosom for you. 
Are you ready to follow? 

Hanno. — To the ends of the earth, if necessary! 

Titus, — This entitles you to the secret. 



14 tHE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNU. 

— FACTS AND STATEMENTS. — 

— Crystal City, a deserted place spread out on the 
hill of crystal shape which curves into the river, one 
of the greatest in the world, and filled with gold, is 
known to be, and is, located on the right bank of said 
river, in a country yet unexplored. The inhabitants 
of this once flourishing place, who certainly stored up 
this gold, are supposed to have been partly destroyed, 
and the remainder, panic stricken, fled on account of 
an earthquake which must have taken place at a later 
date, as the indication to that effect plainly shows. 
Nine 'miles above Crystal City the Great River re- 
ceives from the left a tributary of considerable size, 
and the section enclosed by these lwc» rivers is called 
"Lonely Spot.'' Lonely Spot is mountainous, filled 
with caves and chasms, and, below, the Great River 
Cannot be approached on account of the swamp land 
which follows its bank down to the ocean. Upwards 
of twenty -two miles above Crystal City the Great 
River receives from the right another tributar}', of 
nine hundred feet across its channel. Five miles 
below this point the Great River admits a perpendicu- 
lar fall, also one of the greatest in the world; and 
immediately above this point, and upwards for about 
thirty miles, the river is subject to rapids with a 
velocity of eighteen miles an hour. Owing to its 
great width of 11,000 feet, the river here constitutes a 
huge mass of whirlpools, and cannot be crossed by 
any means without facing peril and fate. Above the 
rapids the river is smooth, gentle in its flow, and can 
be crossed at leisure. But before reaching this point 
one must scale a mountain of 19,000 feet, almost per- 
pendicular in its elevation. In the face of these odds 
anyone attempting to cross this river to reach Crystal 
City has resolved upon a most desperate scheme, in 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARl? HANNO. IB 

any case a dangerous proceeding, and if successful he 

has achieved a victory little short of a miracle. But 

we shall be spared this danger, 

Hanno. — And do you blame me, in the face of all this, 
as I was equally aware of all these facts? And 
why didn't you tell me! 

Titus. — Ah! I had a purpose in view: To test your 
courage, your bravery, your temper and disposi- 
tion; and because you have not trusted me in my 
earnest remonstrance I demand now a pledge of 
of you, to the effect that you share with me every 
lot of fortune, or misfortune, or whatever the 
unknown future has in store for us, and that we 
do not part in our combined efforts until the fair- 
est conditions of life and happiness are estab- 
lished. And I shall do likewise, and upon this 
pledge I shall disclose to you the profound secret 
upon which is depending all of our earthly hope. 

Hanno. — "I do hereby solemnly promise to share with 
you (Titus) every lot of fortune, or misfortune, 
or whatever the unknown future has in store for 
us, and swear not to part in our combined efforts 
until the fairest conditions of life and happiness 
are established. 

"In honor of this day." 

Karl Hanno. 

Titus. — "I do hereby solemnly promise to share with 
you (Karl Hanno) every lot of fortune, or mis- 
fortune, or whatever the unknown future has in 
store for us, and swear not to part in our com- 
bined efforts until the fairest conditions of life 
and happiness are established. 

"In honor of this day.'' Titus 

For it is but for the sake of my sympathy 

And the love that I cherish in my bosom for you. 



16 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

— THE SECRET. — 
— Once I had lost my way and was rambling about 
from place to ^lace until I found myself in Lonely 
Spot, in front of a cave near the riverside and appar- 
ently of an innocent nature. Night and darkness set 
in and the tempest blew from all directions, while the 
heavens announced torrents of rain shortlv to follow. 
There was no place for refuge in this solitary spot 
except this cave. I went in, lighted a torch and de- 
termined, if agreeable, to abide there through the 
night. By this time the rain had commenced pouring 
down in streams, accompanied by a severe storm 
raging horribly Over the landscape. As I ventured 
more to the interior, all at once I saw an object stand- 
ing in the mouth of the cave. It was a panther. 
Perhaps it was the torchlight that frightened him, as 
he seemed to be very cautious in his manners. An- 
other animal, a tiger, came in on a full rush, followed 
by a leopard; all sought'protection from the raging 
storm without. "My doom is sealed,'' I whispered to 
myself. But, as it happened, these cruel animals fell 
out with each other and engaged in a deadly combat. 
"This is my chance to escape," I again whispered to 
myself; whereupon I retreated farther back into the 
cave. Whether the weaker party gave way and fled, 
or whether they had compromised, at an}' rate the 
fighting had suddenly ceased, and to my disma}^ I 
beheld any number of these wild brutes starting after 
me, and they were soon close upon my heels. When 
my case became almost hopeless I discovered the cave 
running into k narrow neck and finally into a loop- 
hole, which was the pas.sage into another cave, just 
large enough for me to glide through, which I did in 
all haste. This shut off the beasts. This cave pre- 
sented a most wonderful spectacle, and soon my fears 



J 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 17 

gave way to its rare curiosities, whereupon I pro- 
ceeded by deg-rees farther and farther. .How long- I 
remained in this cave I do not know, but I came out 
of it on a bright noonday, and, to my greatest sur- 
prise, on the other side of that g-reat river, and I stood 
on its right bank, which is on the same bank as Crys- 
tal Cit}-. As the outlet of the secret cave is immedi- 
ately above the point where the tributary from the 
right flows into the Great River, I had another river, 
thoug-h a much smaller one, yet to cross; but being- 
without means and alone, it was useless for me to 
proceed any farther, and I returned again through 
the Secret Cave. And this cave thus far is known to 
me only. The tributary of 900 feet width from the 
right we can swim across at leisure, and after that 
the way down to Crystal City of twenty-two miles is 
clear. Thu5 we can reach Crystal City in safety and 
accomplish that which would be almost impossible on 
any other scale. 

Hanno. — Now I can say, "I see there is hope for 
me.'' I have always had a burning conviction in 
my heart that I shall see at least one moment 
in life in which I shall see all of my wishes 
answered. But during my former struggles, by 
which I have come to naught, I held this to be an 
imagination, but here is developing- something 
that seems to confirm the truth of that. And who 
knows but perhaps sooner or later we shall be 
seated in the circle of earthly bliss? 
■ Titus. — Ah! you have changed wonderfully; but keep 
cool. We shall master our situation and overcome 
all difficulties by deg-rees, and if anything- good 
is in our near future we shall attempt heaven and 
earth to accomplish our purpose. And as to this 
let us make our plan. 



18 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 

— PLAN, — 

— A fortnight journey covers the distance by 
which to reach the nearest point bordered by the 
Great River, on its left bank, tvpenty-two miles 
above Crystal City, in Lonely Spot. Here we 
shall enter the Secret Cave, which I have hereon 
my map (produces a map), and proceed through 
under the Great River to the opposite side. The 
tributary from the right, which is 900 feet in 
width, and a shallow sandbar nearly half way 
across, making the actual channel but 500 feet, 
we shall swim across. The remainder of the dis- 
tance is a straight march of twenty-tv\o miles to 
Crystal City. On our way home we shall do as 
we did before, except that all the gold that we 
can possibly carry with us we shall moor it across 
on the bottom of the smaller river. 

Hanno. — But why go to such trouble as that? While 
there is plenty of grown timber along the banks 
of the rivers, why not construct a raft and ferry 
over, gold and all? 

Titus. — For this reason: All the grown timber in 
that section of the land is of hard wood and sinks 
to the bottom like iron. Now, we will do this: 
The river is 900 feet in width, and a shallow 
sandbar of 400 feet, making the actual channel 
500 feet. We will take a rope, adapted to suit 
the purpose, 1,000 feet long, tie both ends to- 
gether, stretch it double across the river, one on 
each end of the rope, so as to have the river be- 
tween us, fasten a quantity of gold to the rope 
and keep spinning it across the river until all is 
moored across. The scheme is genuine. 

Hanno. — The scheme is genuine. Surely you need a 
partner! 



TEE DRAMA OF DE3TINY-KARL HANNO. ig 

Titus. — Yes! but look here: You will share half in 
the graitt- Many, many, would hail an oppor - 
tunity like this, but it is you whom I chose for 
partner and for possession of half of all that we 
shall g"ain. 

For it is but for the sake of my sympathy 
And the love that I cherish in my bosom for 3'ou. 

Hanno. — Most hig-hly do I appreciate this undeserved 
kindness. I will follow, and, as I have said, if 
necessary, to the ends of the earth. 

Titus. — One thing- cannot fail: Devotion and love are 
commanding- in heaven and on earth and causing- 
llie powers of hell to tremble. 

Hanno. — I cannot overcome my feeling- of what des- 
tiny has in store for us in this our enterprise. I 
feel so strang-e ; I feel so isolated from all protec- 
tion and safet}'; so ominous and doomed in the 
face of the immediate future. Yes! I feel the 
weight of destiny bearing- down upon my soul. It 
must mean something-. Thinking- to enter upon 
an enterprise connected with thousands of danglers 
and difficulties, it looks as though we are defying- 
evil and fate with the Heavenly Powers set 
ag-ainst us, I try hard to overcome these at- 
tacks, but since I have failed in everything- in the 
past that 1 have undertaken to accomplish, I have 
since become a firm believer in predestination, 
holding- that m}' destiny was fixed at the day of 
• my birth, and that after this period it can never 
be chang-ed by any manner of act on my part. 
What can I do for my escape when I am doomed? 
I feel so strang-e! 

Titus. — It is vile and of no g-ood consequence, neither 
is it to any advantage, to give way to such specu- 
lations. The day will prove that when your des- 



20 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 

tinj, or my destiny, or anyone's destiny, was 
fixed it was fixed at the day of birth wholly in 
accordance with our conduct in life. The human 
being- is not like a machine, which, when set in 
motion,, does its work already determined by its 
mechanism. Your destiny was fixed to suit the 
purpose that you are aiming- to reach by your free 
act and will, g-ood or bad. Destiny is depending 
upon one's conduct, and this conduct, if in har- 
mony with moral and natural laws, will purif-y 
the soul, and the soul will then remain in its 
natural state and be happy. Again: If the con- 
duct of man, enacted by his free act and will, is 
not in harmony with moral and natural laws, he 
must, for a violation of these laws, suffer evil 
consequences, a fate that he cannot escape. He 
is doomed. In this part of the field, man is the 
maker of his own destiny. In the other part of 
the field, destiny is depending upon one's fitness. 
That which he brings with him into the world 
wc say, "favored by nature." It questions his 
ability, his will-power, his swiftness of mind 
and, above all, his faith. Destiny, when depend- 
ing upon these thing?, is beyond control when 
man is in want of these attributes. But the 
Maker of all Things will take care of His own, 
and man, whatever he may choose to do, is safe 
in the hands of Destiny if his conduct is not in 
opposition with moral and natural laws. ♦ 

Hanno. — Very well. And what of a show have I when 
complying with all that is demanded? 

Titus. — Think not that you are serving a . All 

deeds will be paid out, good or bad, and the man 
complying with all demands made upon him can, 
not fail in his purpose^ 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 21 

Hanne. — Then the Great Maker owes me the blessing" 
of life now for thirty-eig"ht years. Will he pay? 

Titus. — Will he pay? Yes! he will pay. Rise! and 
off to Crystal City we hail. 

Hanno. — I am ready in any emergency to follow, and, 
as I have said, to the ends of the earth, if neces- 
sary. 

litus. — Words cannot express the beauty there is in 
harmony, nor the power manifest in unity. With 
such mental equipments we can safely face the is- 
sue. All things must come to a finish to accomp- 
lish their design. And the master must be greater 
than the work that he is to accomplish. 

Hanno. — But remember: This is subject to the Heaven- 
ly Powers. 

lifus. — No! not subject to the Heavenly Powers, but 
subject to moral and natural laws. Remember that! 

Hanno. — Well, we shall see. We will adopt your theory. 
We will make our plan exactly harmonizing with 
moral and natural laws to prevent fatal consequences 
and to secure success. But this means a great deal. 
We must be far sighted to render accidents perfectly 
harmless should they occur; we must weigh every 
fact and give it the widest consideration. If in this 
way we can man-age the Heavenly Powers and dic- 
tate the terms of our success, your theory is right. 
But if destiny prevails and dictates the terms of our 
success in any measure, your theory is wrong and 
it must fall in the end. 

litiis. — So be it. We shall see: Shrewdness, dash, 
sagacity, a fearless self-confidence aie traits of the 
man of valor and he is destined to conquer. O, 
valor! valor! this beautiful valor! I am so positive 
and so full of delight that when I cast a view into the 
far distance now before us, I fearjnothing. I have 



32 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

not the slightest presentiment of anything fatal, but 
a conviction of a return safe and well. Behold the 
Power of Faith, the all omnipotent. 

Hanno. — Where did you get this power? 

Ji^us— Can't tell you, but I got it. But let us come to 
a close and gather our equipments. 

(Ug produces them in the tegular order. ) 
— Here is a map which will guide us to the Secret 
Cave passing through under the Great River; here 
is a torch to furnish us light throught the Secret Cave 
with a burning capacity of ninety -five hours, seven 
times the length of time to pass through ; here are 
two deadly weapons, one spear for each, with which 
to slay the savage beasts of prey should they attack 
us; here is a suitable rope of a thousand feet long 
to reach double across the actual channel of the 
smaller river of five hundred feet from the sandbar; 
here is a casket with which to carry the gold of seven 
hundred pounds between us; provisions, supplies 
and other necessaries. 

Hanno. — One thing: The smaller river whose actual 
channel is but five hundred feet across at low water 
mark owing to the sandbar extending nearly half 
way across, may it not occur that a heavy rain -fall 
will swell the waters and fill the whole riverbed, 
making the actual channel nine hundred feet across 
instead of five hundred? 

Titus. — Possibly, yes! 

Hanno. — Then let us make provisions to meet the 
emergency. Take a rope of eighteen hundred feet 
long to reach double across the river at high water 
mark. This will make us master of the situation. 

Titus, — Ah! Now you are shaping your destiny with 
skill and foresight. To be prepared in the event of 
an emergency. That talks. And here is an addi- 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 2S 

tional rope (produces it) making it eighteen hundred 
feet long to reach double across the smaller river in 
case of high water mark. All things must come to 
a finish to accomplish their design. 

( Concert. ) 
— Hip! Hip! Hip! off we go to Crystal City. 
( Titus and Karl Hanno start for Crystal City. ) 



SECTION II. 

[Scene — Crystal City resembles a place of 20,000 inhabit- 
ants, located on the right bank, on a round hill covered with glit- 
tering rocks, curving into the great river of 11,000 feet in width. 
The city is deserted and its spectacle gives evidence of an earth- 
quake in a country yet new and unexplored by white men. A patk 
is immediately joining the city with a platform in the center, ap- 
parently suspended thirteen Jeet above the ground and upon which 
the Heavenly Powers assemble. The Heavenly Powers have wings 
aud are dressed in white garments, except the Power of Evil and 
the Power of Fate are in light-red and in dark red, respectively. '\ 

SHT COUNCIL OF THE HFAVENLY POWERS. 
(Thej are: The Power of Good, the Power of Evil, the Power 
of Fate, the Power of Accidents, and the Power of Dispensation. 
To these are joined the Heavenly Functionaries, viz: The Prince 
of Poverty, the Prince of Vanity, the Prince of Wisdom, and the 
Prinee of Fools. This council is presided over by Destiny, fixed 
by the Maker of all Things.) 

Destiny. — The council is called to proceedings! 

Pfince of Poverty. — In presence of this solemn assembly 
and before Most Holy Act Divine of Destiny, I 
bring in complaints against a man named Karl 
Hanno, whom thou Most Holy Act Divine of Des- 
tiny hast left in my charge and who has now revolted 
agaiust me. He was moved by the Power of Temp- 
tation, and counseled by human wit through the 
instrumentality of a man named Titus, to escape out 
of my jurisdiction and the plan is promising success. 
As to this, they are now under way to Crystal City, 
a deserted place, and full of gold. Once there, they 
will freely take therefrom as much as they can carry, 
and, their being in possession of a fortune of gold, 
means the end of my power over such men. 
— Shall this man have success? and shall he be free? 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 26 

Destiny. — Ou the day of his birth, the man named Karl 
Hanno was destined to remain poor owing to the fact 
that he had brought with him into the world a weak 
faith, inherited from his father and a piety within 
his heart without shrewdness, dash, sagacity or 
fearless self confidence, all of this, which is com- 
manding in the world to secure success and ac- 
cumulate wealth, he is in want of It was known that 
at the age of thirty- eight years he would attempt to 
goto Crystal City a deserted place, and full of gold, 
for the sole purpose of seizing a fortune therefrom. 
It was foreseen that Karl Hanno, in control of great 
wealth, would be incompatible with a certain divine 
purpose; but for the sake of a man named Titus, 
who cherishes sympathy and love in his bosom for 
him at this time, he, (Karl Hanno) was destined to 
carry off a small success in this enterprise and to be 
relieved thereby from the bonds of poverty for a 
period of two years. Next! 

Power of Evil. — In presence of this solemn assembly and 
before Most Holy Act Divine of Destiny : The men 
named, Titus and Karl Hanno, have in conjunction 
started out to Crystal C'ty, a deserted place, and full 
of gold, for the sole purpose of seizing a fortune 
therefrom. After a forttiight's journey they have now 
arrived, and entered the cave passing through under 
the Great River and are thereby defying my evil func- 
tions. I move that these men be slain by the savage 
beasts of prey who are now closing in on them in 
the cave. 
— Shall the men be spared? 

Destiny — On the day of the birth of Titus and Karl Hanno, 
respectively, it was known that in this enterprise 
they would seek protection under moral and natural 
laws: Moral; that it is not wrong for man to slay 



ii6 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

his assailant, natural; that the superior prevails, and 
that as to this they would provide themselves with 
deadly weapons with which to slay the savage beasts 
of prey. Titus and Karl Hanno were therefore de- 
stined to be victorious in the combat with the hostile 
beasts of prey now closing in on them in the cave. 
— The motion cannot be carried. Next! 

Power of Fate. — In presence of this solemn assembly and 
before Most Holy Act Divine of Destiny. The men 
named, Titus and Karl Hanno, who, in conjunction 
are still under way to Crystal City, have at this mo- 
ment plunged themselves into the river to swim 
across and have thereby invaded my jurisdiction. 
I move that the floods of the river swallow them and 
drown their bodies before reaching the shore. 
— Shall these men live? 

Destiny. — On the day of the birth of the men named, 
Titus and Karl Hanno, respectively, it was known 
that by this time they would be able swimmers and 
the act to swim across the river in this case was 
found to be in harmony with the laws of nature and 
these men were therefore destined to reach the shore 
in safety. 
— The motion cannot be carried. Next'. 

Power of Good- — In presence of this solemn assembly and 
before Most Holy Act Divine of Destiny: The men 
named, Titus and Karl Hanno, have now arrived 
here in Crystal City, a deserted place, and filled with 
gold. They are tempted in such measure that they 
will take such heavy load of gold that it will prove 
dangerous to their lives under conditions covered 
by natural laws- 

— I move that these men be given in my charge. 
Shall they perish? 

Destiny. — On the day of the birth of the men named, 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 2? 

Titus and Karl Hanno, respectively, it was known 
that, while being in Crystal City, a deserted place, 
and full of gold, they would be tempted in such 
measure that they would take such a heavy load of 
gold that it would prove dangerous to their lives 
under conditions governed by natural laws. But it 
was also found that the men would be perfectly in- 
nocent in their act, inasmach as they would be 
unaware of the danger happening from an unforeseen 
cause, and therefore in itself not offensive. The 
men named, Titus and Karl Hanno, were therefore 
destined to be given in charge of the Power of Good 
from now on until after the fatal moment. 
— The motion is carried: For the Maker of All 
Things is a lover of life- The council is dissolved 1 

(A new council is formed, whose members are: The Prince 
of Poverty, the Prince of Vanity, the Frince of Wisdocn and ihe 
Prince of Fools. This new Council is presided ovtr b? the Power 
of Good under the provision of Destiny.) 

Power of Good' — The council is called to proceedings! 

Prinee of Fools. — Most Holy Divine Good! 

— As regards the fatal moment awaiting the men, 
Titus and Karl Hanno, I move: Let Wisdom ex- 
plain the nature and character respecting the danger 
involved by their fatal act. 

Power of Good- — Let Wisdom explain ! 

Prince of Wisdom. — The men named, Titus and Kar. 
Hanno respectively, eng-aged in an act resulting 
in a fatal consequence bj taking such heavy load 
of gold that it will prove fatal to their lives under 
conditions governed by natural laws, and the na- 
ture and character respecting this danger is pre- 
ciscl}^ this: 

— In the cave, passing through under the Great 
River, and well nigh the entrance on the left 



28 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNU. 

bauk of the river, whicli is nearest to their home, 
there is an abyss, a bottomless pit. This abyss 
is overbridged by a thin layer of slate rock com- 
pletel}' covering- the hole of the abyss, of which, 
as a consequence, nothing can be seen by the 
human eye. This thin laj^er of slate-rock over- 
bridging the abyss has a strength of bearing of 
not over 1,100 pounds, and a weight exceeding 
this will break through. Titus and Karl Hanno 
will take all the gold that they can possibly 
carrj-. They will take 700 pounds, carried be- 
tween them. Their own weight is not less than 
500 pounds, making a total weight of 1,200 
pounds. They must pass over this thin layer of 
slate-rock over the abyss whose strength of bear- 
ing is not o^^er 1,100 pounds; consequently Titus 
and Karl Hanno, together with the gold that they 
carry, a weight of 1,200 pounds, will break through 
as soon as they pass upon it, and they will be 
swallowed by^ the earth. Would these men take 
a modest weight, say 500 pounds, they would pass 
safely over the abyss, but human nature is not 
such in this case. 

Power of Good. — This council is requested to suggest 
means and devices by which to save these men at 
the fatal moment. 

Prince oj Fools. — Most Holy Divine Good! 

— To rescue these men, Titus and Karl Hanno, at 
the fatal moment, I move that they shall be made 
fools to the effect causing them to believe that it 
is better to be content with little than to be dis- 
satisfied with too much. They will then take but 
half as much and will safely pass over the abyss. 

Power of Good. — This is contrary to the institution 
established for mankind. The earth was given 



THE DRAMA OF DEST(NY-KARL HANNO. 29 

to man and its fullness thereof. So is man grranted 
to exercise his power and will at freedom and seize 
upon an3'thing- to which he is lawfully entitled. 
Further: Man is the likeness of his Maker, who 
is all intellig-ent and all wise, and He will not 
consent that men be made fools. 
— The motion cannot be carried. Next'. 

PriJice of Poverty. — Most Holy Divine Good ! 

—The men, Titus and Karl Hanno, are at this mo- 
ment at a loss for a device how to carry best the load 
of gold that is to be taken by them in Crystal City. 
I move: I,et the power of temptation be permitted 
to prevail over them to the extent that they take 
the 700 pounds, as is their design, and let the Prince 
of Wisdom counsel them to take a long pole to suit 
their purpose, fasten the casket filled with gold to 
the middle of the pole, and let them carry this on 
their shoulders so that the ends of the pole will pro- 
ject several feet oyer their respective shoulders. 
Passing above the abyss, ihe weak slate rock will 
break, under its weight; the long pole will lodge 
upon the edge of the rocks caused by the breach as 
the men drop, and from the sudden check, the cas- 
ket filled with gold wili be torn off of the pole and 
be lost in the abyss; but the men will grasp the pole 
suspending over the abyss and so save themselves. 

Pozver of Good — In this scheme all the gold will be lost 
in the abyss. This is in opposition to their destiny 
as \.\\Qy are destined to carr^' off a small success in 
this enterprise. Further: The idea of the long pole 
tendering the rescue of these men is very good, but 
the scheme, logically, is not correct: They will 
take 700 pounds of gold between them. This is their 
plan. It is as much as they can possible carry. 
Adapting to their use a long pole, these men will, 



so THE DUAMA OF DEiTINY-KARL HANNO. 

as a logical consequence, take one of the least pos- 
sible weight, whose strength of bearing will but 
little exceed the 700 pounds of gold, say 750. 700 
pounds falling five feet, that is, from the shoulders 
down to the ground, will increase in velocity until 
the 700 pounds become 1000 pounds. Consequently, 
when each end of the pole strikes the edges of the 
breach the pole, with its heavy weight, will break 
outright and the men and all will drop down into 
the abyss. 
— The motion cannot be carried. Next! 

Prince of J^anity. — Most Holy Divine Good: Let Wis- 
dom make a suggestion. 

Power of Good. — Let Wisdom prepare a plan. 

Prince of Wisdom. — Most Holy Divine Good. 

— In the centre of Crystal City there is a palace or- 
namented with gold and diamonds, a spectacle of 
ancient splendor. Aside from this overwhelming 
magnificance and in addition to its historical value, 
there are in front of this palace itiany statues- And 
as many as there are, there is one overshadowing all 
others in size. He holds forth a spear fourteen feet 
in length, with a wooden shaft ornamented with rings 
around it of solid gold, weighing twenty-five pounds. 
($8000.) The shaft of this spear has a strength of 
bearing of 2000 pounds and can be credited to stand 
the crisis. Because of the gold that it contains ; on 
account of the usefulness as a weapon, and as a 
practical device with which to carry the gold, the 
men, when seeing this spear, will desire to have it. 
They will fasten the casket filled with gold to the 
middle of the spear, carried between them on their 
shoulders. Passing upon the abyss, they will drop 
through the breach with their hands already clasped 
to the spear, which in the next moment will sudden- 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. 31 

ly lodge across over the breach. The casket filled 
with gold wilt be torn loose and will drop down the 
abj^ss while the men are swinging. , In the next mo- 
ment they will climb on board the solid rock : Saved 
are the men ; saved is the spear, and secured is the 
small success which by Destiny is allowed them, 
and this they will find in the rings ot solid gold 
around the spear, twenty-five pounds ($8000, $4000 
for each.) All that remaineth now is to guide these 
men in front of the palace so that they may see the 
spear. To do this is the work of Vanity. 

Prince oj Vanity. — Most Holy Divine Good! 

— To dispense means by which to save these men, 
Titus and Karl Hanno, at the fatal moment, by 
means of using- the spear held by a statue in front 
of the palace in the center of Crystal City, which 
is credited to stand the crisis; to guide, or to lead, 
these men in front of the palace so that they may 
see the spear, I move: That Titus and Karl Hanno 
be given in my charge. Also to be empowered to 
change ray form and to approach them in an 
ordinary human conversation. 

Power of Good. — The plan devised and suggested by 
this council to dispense means and ways by which 
to save the men, Titus and Karl Hanno, at the 
fatal moment in this their enterprise, is in har- 
mony with the laws of nature; and to the human 
being, when executed, it will appear as a natural 
proceeding. The motion is carried. The men 
named Titus and Karl Hanno are given in charge 
to the Prince of Vanity, to be guided, or led, in 
front of the palace so that they may see the spear, 
from now on up to the moment when this shall 
have been accomplished. 
— Prince of Vanit}- is also empowered to change 



32 IHE IRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

his form and to approach these men in an ordi- 
nary human conversation. 

( The Prince of Vanity immediately leaves the Council 
of the Heavenly Functionaries and meets Titus and 
Karl Hantio in the form of the human being, and he is 
hailed by them simply as a stranger.) 
Prince of Vanity. — 

I do enjoy all that is in harmony with true life, 
And here, while we are taking- these earthly 
treasures in view, 
To which you have succeeded with toil and strife, 
Do you think for a moment that this was not 
all made for you? 
And here, ri^ht here on this ver}^ spot where we 
stand. 
Is a fortune to pick up without g'oing' any 
farther; 
And because there is no owner of it in all this 
land, 
Makes it a free gift to anyone coming hither. 
Hanno.-- 

Sorely it is to be regretted that in this case 

We cannot own it all, only what we can carry. 
Regards the difficulties to reach this place, 

As there is on the river neither a bridge nor a 
ferry. 
Prince of Vanity. — 

And even at this rate 3'ou are far in advance 

Of the thousands who are living in poverty, 
And of the thousands who will never see the 
chance 
To rise in wealth as you do with such rapidity. 

Titus.- - 

Yes! here we are in the city on the hill. 

And filled with gold, a fact, and is no story. 
This gold is free, and we are left at will 
To take therefrom as much as we can carry. 
Prince 0/ Vanity. -- 

And you will see a greater glory than this 

]By advancing more to the heart of the interior; 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 38 

It seems as we should be inspired with bliss 
To which this here is merely something' yet 
inferior. 
Titus, and Karl Hanno. — Then, let us go! {They go, 

Prince of Vanity takes the lead.) 
Prince of Vanity. — 

And here we come to a mag^nificent temple, 

And its hardware is not like in the times of old, 
Such as of steel and iron, for example: 

The hardware in here is all of solid g-old. 
— But let us see some more of it. {Prince of 
Vanity goes on ; Titus and Karl Hanno follow . ) 
— And here is a larg^e structure, and to us 

It matters but little what it was for; but behold! 
Those powerful arches reaching- across: 

They are all out of solid g^old. 
— But let us g-o farther. ( They all go. Prince of 
Vanity is in the lead.) 
— And here we come to a palace- how grand! 

Those statues representing- heroes in the days 
of old, 
And one there holding- a long- spear in his hand 

With rings around it; behold! they are all of 
solid gold. 

— But my time is limited and I must leave you. 
Excuse me. 

(Prince of Vanity parts from Titus and Karl Hanno 
and repairs back to t/ie council of the heavenly function- 
aries. His mission is ended. Titus and Karl Hanno 
are again in charge of t tie Poiver of Good.) 
litus. — Strange that this man broke off so suddenly. I 
was wondering where he came from, and all that in- 
terests me is to know whether he discovered, and 
came through the Secret Cave under the Great River. 
Then again I think he may not belong at all to the 
other side of the Great River where we live. Well, 
be this as it is, we shall look out for ourselves. We 
Taave played the first act of our dramatic enterprise 



84 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

SO well and are now ready for the next. As to my- 
self, I am overwhelmed by the success already ac- 
complished: To think that all this is real; to think 
that we are in Crystal City, a deserted place, and 
full of gold. Gold! Gold! Gold! and gold all around 
us. What do you think about it? 

Hanno. — To me this seems more like a dream than a 
reality because of our rapid success, as I thought it 
to be impossible to get here. What a change in the 
situation, and what a bright prospect of the future 
is developing right here. And yet I could even 
linger. To follow you was the work of a tender 
persuation entertained by sympathy and manly love. 
Oh I May heaven give me an opportunity to repay 
you for your most noble deed in my behalf. 
— Only this: Will we succeed? 

Titus. — Succeed? To return home safe and well? To 
overcome all odds, and to be in possession of so 
great a fortune? Why not, what will hinder us? 
Behold the Power of Faith ! 

Hanno. — O, had I but the Power of Faith to be relieved 
from the fear of the Heavenly Powers! I feel so 
strange. 

Titus. — If the Heavenly Powers have anything to do 
with our business I believe that they are for us rather 
than against us. But the greatest hero is he who con - 
quers himself- And I say: Swing your colors! 
we are on the march of victory. Round up your 
heels! so your feet won't be so clumsy. Defy your 
lingering thoughts! have you a love for victory. 
— There is something to be done here besides taking 
a long breath and throwing out sighs to the stars. 
Ah! The Almighty at this moment, I am sure, is 
watching us closely and is ready to manifest His 
divine pleasure to see two more heroes turn out this 
day, ( They are still in front of the palace. ) 



THE DRAMA OF DESTIMT-KARL HANNO. 96 

Hanno. — There they are! {he points out.) Do you not 
see the statues there representing heroes of antiquity 
and one there especially holding a long heavy spear 
in his hand with rings around it of solid gold? 

Titus. — Yes I I see. He looks like a hero of antiquity 
and he can stay there, but the spear will go with us. 

Hanno. — The idea prevailed over me as soon as I saw 
this confounded art of antiquity: The gold that it 
contains, the usefulness as a weapon, and as a prac- 
tical device with which to carry the gold ; all of this 
is evidently a fortunate chance. Thus: We will 
take the spear. 

Concert. 
Take the spear and hug all the gold 
That can possibly be into the casket rolled. 
— Off we go with our great fortune. ( They leave 
Crystal City.) 



SECTION III. 

DISPENSATORY ASSEMBLY OF THE HEAVENLY 
POWERS. 
[They are: The Power of Accidents, the Power of Evil, the 
Power of Fate and the Power of Rescue. Functionaries: Prince of 
Vanity, Prince of Poverty and the Prince of Pru lence. 

This assembly is controlled by the Power of Good under pro- 
visions of Destiny, as fixed by the Maker of All Things. This as- 
sembly takes up a position right over the abyss in the cave where 
Titus and Karl Hanno must pass and break through and is so 
near to tte entrance, which is nearest to their home, that it is ap. 
proached by daylight. The Heavenly Powers all have wings 
and are wrapped in long robes loosely fitted; all are in white ex- 
cept the Power of Evil and the Power of Fate, w^ho are in red.] 
Power of Good {to the assembly) : — As a heavenly power 
in my functional charges, I have been commission- 
ed and appointed by Destiny, fixed by the Maker of 
All Things, to save two human lives from fate and 
destruction at a moment now close at hand. The 
men in question, Titus and Karl Hanno, in conse- 
quence of strife for existence, life and welfare, have 
committed themselves to an act that will culminate 
in fate and destruction under conditions governed by 
natural laws. They have been tried by a heavenly 
council and found "not guilty." Even so: The 
Power of Fate and Destruction will continue its fatal 
tendency all the same, subject, however, to the laws 
of nature which in all cases must take their regular 
course but which again must be rendered perfectly 
harmless in this case. As to this, I charge all the 
powers connected with this affair, to be under bond 
of the highest executive as regards their funtional 
charges according to the heavenly law9. 
Powers. — All hail the Power of the Highest Executive! 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT--KARL HANNO. 87 

Messenger, {Celestial enters) . — Most Holy Divine Good: 
The men Titus and Karl Hanno, with a heavy load 
of gold, are at this moment on their way home, and 
have left Crystal City a short distance behind them. 

{Exit.) 
Messenger {Enters): — Most Holy Divine Good: The 
men, Titus and Karl Hanno, with a heavy load of 
gold have at this moment arrived at the tributary 
from the right received by the Great River. Since it 
is nearly sundown they have decided not to cross 
until morning. {Exit.) 
Power of Accidents. — Most Holy Divine Good : As a 
heavenly power in my functional charges to volun- 
tarily use my power, subject, however, to the laws 
of nature, I shall in the next moment cause an ac- 
cident so as to interfere with the success of Titus 
and Karl Hanno. During a heavy rainfall to-night 
I shall cause a breach in the dam of a reservoir and 
so swell the river, which these men are aiming to 
cross in the morning to moor their load of gold 
across to a high watermark. Although they 
have provided themselves with a rope for this 
emergency so as to render this accident harm- 
less, yet I shall make it exceedingly difficult 
for them to succeed. This I shall do in conse- 
quence of their having committed a divine of- 
fence by assuming to havt outwitted the Heavenly 
Powers. If successful, they would call it "smart." 
They are not then willing to admit that all good, 
and all blessing cometh from Heaven. They shall 
find it exceedingly difficult. {Exit.) 
Power of Good. — The human being is blind to the bless- 
ings granted him by his Creator. He attributes all 
things to his merit except the evil for which again 
he blames all things except himself. Man be cursed. 



38 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Messenger {Enters) : — The river has risen to a high 
watermark. Titus and Karl Hanno moor their load 
of gold across on the bottom of the river. {Exit.) 

Power of Accidents {Enters): — I shall cause another ac- 
cident : There are some rocks on the bottom of the 
river. Some pieces of gold shall be caught fast and 
be lost. Naturally shall it be so. {Exit.) 

Prince of Poverty. — That will cut an important link in 
the chain of their success. 

Messeni^er {Enters). — Titus and Karl Hanno moor gold 
across on the bottom of the river and half of it is 
lost. {Exit.) 

Power of Fate. — Now they will pass safely over the 
abyss, will they? 

Prince of Vanity. — Not so. They will hastily go back 
to Crystal City and make up the loss, while they 
have the chance. 

Priyice of Prudence' — I shall go and cause these men to 
select a place farther to the right where the bottom 
of the river assumes a sandy smoothness. {Exit.) 

Messens[er {Enters.) — Titus and Karl Hanno have made 
up the loss of gold and resume moving it across on 
the bottom of the river. {Exit.) 

Prince of Prudence. — Solemn assembly! 

— It is a singular occurrence that a great bodj of 
water in a tropical zone can suddenly change from 
hot to ice-cold, yet such occurrence has actually 
been effected by the laws of nature in less than 
one hour's time. The river where Titus and Karl 
Hanno moor their gold across has suddenly changed 
from hot to ice-cold. Naturally so; all is natural! 

Messenger {Enters). — Karl Hanno has plunged into the 
river to swim across. {Exit.) 

Power of fate- — Karl Hanno has violated the laws of 
nature: The temperature of the atmosphere as well 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 39 

as that of the water of the river has suddenly changed 
from hot to ice-cold owing to a heavy hailstorm fill- 
ing the river with ice. Karl Hanno with his warm 
body plunging into the ice-cold water has violated 
the laws of nature and I shall go now to execute 
them. {Exit.) 

Messenger {Enters). — Karl Hanno is on the point of 
drowning. Owing to the ice-cold water in the river 
he gave way to spasms- The same has befallen 
Titus who came to his rescue from the opposite 
shore, which he had reached when the water was 
warm before the hailstorm. {Exit- ) 

Power of Good- — Karl Hanno and Titus are destined to 
overcome all fatal odds in this their enterprise. 
They were given in my charge, and they shall live. 

Messenger {Efiters)- — Karl Hanno's body has been 
drifted back to the land and the rolling waves of 
the river have thrown him high upon the bank ; the 
same is true of Titus. Both are reviving. {Exit.) 

Power of Good- — Karl Hanno, in consequence of his 
piety and the love that he entertains for his Maker, 
shall be heard in his need as now he is sending sup- 
plications to his Maker to dispense means by which 
to cross the river in safety. Of course this must 
assume a natural proceeding. 

Power of Accidents {Enters) . — I shall go on my com- 
mission and while the flood is still high, I shall 
cause some stranded drift-wood to get loose and it 
will float down the river; a strong gale will throw 
it next to the shore where Karl Hanno is anxiously 
waiting for it. He will seize it and fasten together 
several logs. The rope with which they moored 
the gold across, is still stretched across the river. 
He will fasten the rope to this little raft and Titus 
will pull him across without accidents. {Exit.) 



40 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Power of Good.— This is a-pproved of; it is all natural, 
perfectly natural. 

Messenger {Enters) --Karl Hanno, having- reached the 
left bank of the river in safety, is rejoining- 
Titus. They resume their march homeward, car- 
rying 700 pounds of gold in a casket fastened to a 
long spear, with rings around of solid gold and 
carried between them on their shoulders. {Exit) 

(INCIDENTAI. COUNCIIv.) 

Power of Rescue. — Most Holy Divine Good: 

— The assembly is aware that Titus and Karl 
Hanno with their heavy load of g-old will soon pass 
upon the thin slate rock over the abyss and break 
through, under conditions governed by natural 
laws. They are destined to be saved from fate 
and destruction during the crisis. The plan of 
rescue has been worked out and passed by several 
councils. Complete as is the plan with all means 
included toward that purpose, there is still one 
point in the scheme which must be given special 
attention. It is this: Titus and Karl Hanno 
carry the casket filled with gold fastened to the 
middle part of the spear. For necessity's sake 
they have one hand fixed to the spear in order to 
hold it steadily on their shoulders, but at the vefy 
instant of dropping, thev will be of a careless 
mind, thinking of nothing their hold of the spear 
will not be effective. They must have a firm, 
and solid hold of the spear as they drop. 
— I move that Titus and Karl Hanno be given in 
my charge during ooe second of time at point of 
dropping so that their hands be firmly fixed to 
the spear. 

Power of Good. — The Power of Rescue is requested to 
explain the method that is to be adopted in the 
act. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 41 

Pozuer of Rescue. — Most Holy Divine Good: 

— I shall cause a cramp to set in on their hands 
and their hold to the spear will be firm and solid. 
They will also be able to explain how wonderfully 
they were saved. 

Power of Good' — This is connected with evil. Veto! 

Powet of Rescue. — I shall other\yise adopt a super- 
natural method, but such method cannot be ex- 
plained by natural laws, and ere I can proceed to 
do anything- 1 must be charged by the Omnipotent 
Power of Faith. 

Pozuer of Good {produces the book of record): — I shall 
look up the Record of Destiny! 
— Yes! Hereitis: "The man named Titus. At 
the day of his birth it was known that at the ag-e 
of forty-six years he would by his free act and 
will undertake a trip to a place named "Crystal 
City." The city being deserted and full of gold, 
Titus, in conjunction with a man named Karl 
Hanno would seize a burden of g-old thereof and 
on their way home, in a cave, passing- under a 
g-reat river, they would, on a thin layer of slate- 
rock over an abyss, break through under condi- 
tions governed by natural laws. Titus, at the 
day of his birth it was found, had brought with 
him into the world a powerful faith, joined to 
shrewdness, dash, sagacity and fearless self- 
confidence so favored by nature. According- to 
shrewdness, dash, sag-acity, and fearless self- 
confidence which is commanding- success, he 
should have been destined to carry off an immense 
fortune in this enterprise, but the fact that he 
would have Karl Hanno to share half in the g^ifl» 
and he (Karl Hanno) was destined to remain poor 
in view of a certain divine purpose, the gold was 



48 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

therefore doomed to be lost in the abyss. On the 
other hand: because Titus had a powerful faith 
and the fact being- unaware of the danger coming- 
from an unforseen cause, both Titus andKarl Hanno 
were therefore destined to be rescued in the crisis 
when breaking through the slate-rock over the 
abyss, and for one second of time at the very in- 
stant of dropping, these men should be given in 
charge of the Power of Rescue charged by the 
Power of Faith to fix their hands firmly to the 
spear." {Puts the book away). 
— The motion is carried: The Power of Rescue 
shall be charged by the Power of Faith for one 
second of time to fix the hands of Titus and Karl 
Hanno firmly to the spear at instant of dropping. 

Messenger {Enters). — Titus and Karl Hanno now in 
sight! {Exit). 

Power of Good. — All Heavenly Powers, whether good or 
evil, except the power of Rescue, are charged to 
vanish from this field ! 

(All the powers disappear, except the Power of 
Good and the Power of Rescue. Titus and Karl 
Hanno coming on with their burden, a casket 
containing 700 pounds of gold, fastened to the 
middle part of a long sptar and carried between 
them on their shoulders. The Power of Rescue 
takes up a position over the abyss and is ready to 
take charge of them at the instant when they break 
through and drop). 

Titus — Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! I can see daylight. 
We are approaching the mouth of the cave, 

Hanno. — Well I shall never forget this trip, we have 
had a hard time of it: Confound it. What dif- 
ference does that make? 700 pounds of gold in 
the casket; 25 pounds more on the spear, a total 



THE LRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 4S 

of 11600 ounces; $232,000 between us, $116,000 for 
each. And if we come out of this cave all right, 
as you have cilways said we would, I confess that 
you have something- that I have not. 

lituS' — Come out of this cave all right, safe and well! 
Why not? Behold the Power of Faith I {Down 
thty drop! 7 hey /irmly hold to tht spear and art 
suspended in the mouth of the abyss. ) 

Hanno. — Great God! under us is a pit of an endless 
depth. 

Titus- — Make a swing and get aboard of the rock while 
I hold the spear. Be careful ! 

Hanno. — {Makes a swing.) I am out! Now you get 
out! while I hold the spear. Be careful! 

Titus. — {He makes a swing.) I am out, too! 

Hanno. — I firmly seized the spear as we dropped, I can- 
not explain it 

Titus — So did I ! It all came so quick, I had no time 
to think but I attribute that to the Power of Faith. 

Hamio. — Our spear saved itself and saved us, but the 
casket filled with gold is lost down in the abyss. 
But we have still twenty -five pounds of gold left in 
the rings around the spear. This is what we were 
destined to have and no more, the remainder was 
doomed to be lost in the abyss. Do what you will, 
but Destiny is our master. 

Titus. — Destiny is our master. 

(End of Part I.) 



PART IL 

SECTION I. 

[Scene — It is night. Karl Hanno is sound asleep upon a 
layer of straw in the center of the floor in a large farmhouse; iso- 
lated, deserted and in an impoverished condition. The Heavenly 
Powers assemble around him in a circle of 270 degrees and in the 
middle of the elliptical part of the circle stands Destiny, leaving 
Karl Hanno ift the center; the others are arranged in the following 
order: To the right of Destiny, the Power of Good; next, follow- 
ing the circle, the Prince of Vanity; next, the Power of Love ; next^ 
the Power of Evil; next, the Power 0/ Temptation; next, the 
Power of Accidents; next, the Prince of Poverty; next, the Prince 
of Fools; and next,the Prince of Wisdom. All the Heavenly Pow- 
ers have wings, arid are robed in long, loose fitting garments, each 
in his own hue: Power of Good, iii snow-white ; Prince of Vanity, 
in glittering yellow; Power oj Love, i^i a light-blue; Power of Evil, 
in red; Pozver of Temptatio?i, in green; Power of Accidents, in 
black; Prince of Poverty, in gray; Prince of Fools, in pink; Prirtce 
of Wisdom, in indigo. All these different colors pertain to 
Destiny by whom the assembly is controlled under supervision of 
the Higher Ordinance set forth by the Maker of all Things. '[ 

Destiny. — The assembly is called to order! First pro- 
ceeding: 

— At the day ot his birth, Karl Hanno was destined 
to remain poor according to his fitness in life to suit 
a certain divine purpose. It was known, and it was 
then foreseen that at the age of forty -three years, 
Karl Hanno, while still in poverty, would by this 
time pledge himself to comply with the Heavenly 
L,aws communicated to him by each of the powers 
and according to this, Karl Hanno was destined for 
a change of life, from poverty to wealth- To do 
this, it will be necessary to appear unto him by 
means of a vision and induce him to commit him- 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 45 

self into our presence. This he will do as he is a 
believer in spirits- 

Prince of J^anity. — Most Holy Act Divine of Destiny. 
— I move that I be permitted to appear unto Karl 
Hanno by means of a vision to induce him to com- 
mit himself into our presence. 

Destiny. — The motion is accepted. Prince of Vanity is 
charged to carry out this motion. 
{Pfince of Vanity mxkes threi rabs on the fi )or. 
Karl Hanno zvakes up. He sees a vision. ) 

Prince of Vanity. — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny: Fear 
not! The Blessing of All Good is smiling sweetly 
upon thy brow. For the tim^ is at hand when thou 
shalt undergo a change of life and be blessed not 
only with a fortune but with all that in which thou 
shalt see all of thy wishes answered. This however 
is now depending upon thyself and upon condition 
only that thou pledge thyself to comply with the 
Heavenly I^aws commanded thee to keep by the 
Heavenly Powers. Dost thou believe in spirits? 

Karl HannO. — I do. 

Prince of Vanity. — Art thou afraid of them? 

Karl Hanno. — I am not. 

Prince oj Vanity. — Art thou ready to commit th3'self 
into the presence of the Heavenly Powers? 

Karl Hanno. — For what reason? 

Pnnce of Vanity. — Ah! thou must be reconciled with 
the Heavenly Powers whom thou has often in- 
sulted because of thy ignorance of the Heavenly 
Laws and it is for this reason that thou must re- 
ceive instructions from them before thou canst be 
permitted to be in control of great wealth. Wilt 
thou, or wilt thou not? Upon this now is de- 
pending- thy destiny. Art thou ready? 

Karl Hanno. — I am. 



46 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 



Prince of Vanity. — Then stand upon thy feet, and as 
soon as thou shalt raise thy right hand above thy 
brow, and place thy left hand upon thy heart thou 
shalt be in presence of the Heavenly Powers. 
(He does so and is in presence of Heavenly powers 
precisely arrang-ed in a circle as described and is 
face to face with each of the powers while speak- 
ing:.) 

Destiny. — Karl Hanno Child of Destiny: Thou art 
now in presence of the Heavenly Powers who 
under supervision of the Higher Ordinance have 
charge of thy destiny. Thou "hast been strug- 
gling in vain, and under the weight of poverty 
thou hast borne thy lot and misfortunes so man- 
fully that thy conduct through life up to this 
moment has been recognized with divine favor. 
The time is now at hand when thou shalt under- 
go a change of life and be blessed not only with a 
fortune but with all that in which tbou shalt see 
all of thy wishes answered. Thou wast destined 
to remain poor as thou wast not fitted to be in con- 
trol of great wealth and as thou wouldst use thy 
wealth in opposition to the Heavenly Laws and 
fail in a certain divine purpose. But now thou 
shalt be permitted henceforth to possess great 
wealth on condition that thou wilt pledge thyself 
to comply with the Heavenly Laws commanded 
ihee by each of the Heavenly Powers having 
charge of thy destiny! Fear nothing: He that 
is at peace with himself, and he that is obediently 
trusting in the Higher Order of Things, he is the 
Child of destiny. Thou art now called to pro- 
ceed, for I am Destiny. {He proceeds.) 
Power of Good — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny: Hence- 
forth shalt thou be blessed not only with a for-t 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. 47 

tune but with all that in which thou shalt see all 
of thy wishes answered. But before thou canst 
be permitted this thou must g"ive a solemn pledge 
to compl}^ with the laws that I shall command 
thee to keep within the jurisdiction of my king-- 
dom. Raise thy right hand above thy brow, and 
place thy left hand upon thy heart as a token of 
this pledge. {He does so. ) 

— Behold ! When thou shalt be seated in thy stately 
wealth, thou shalt be in sympathy with all institu- 
tions established for a good purpose and thou shalt 
give them material support ; thou shalt also be in 
sympathy with individuals endeavoring to establish 
good ; further thou shalt be in sympathy with all 
the needy, the unfortunate beggars, the sorely dis- 
tressed, the destitute, to all these thou shalt con- 
tribute toward their relief. If thou wilt do this then 
wilt thou be fitted to be in control of great wealth and 
my kingdom will flourish, for I am the Power of 
Good. 

Destiny. — Next! 

{Karl Hanno passes to the next, and so on.) 

Prince oj Vam'ty.- -Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny: 
What is life without the odor of sweetness, 
And what is a man without money? 
Life to him is like water filled with bitterness 
And he himself is like a bee without honey. 

So true, and full of logic is this statement of mine; 
So comprehensive and clear in its result 
That neither heaven nor earth could object to any 

design 
Having a tendency toward happiness, free from 
guilt. 
Never is earthly happiness really prospering 
Under any shade of povertv, for, 
If soul and body are suffering 
There, misery awaiteth him at the door. 



48 THE DKAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

— But 1 shall Speak freely. Fear not! Karl Hanno, 
for thou art the Child of Destiny and the Blessing of 
all Good is smiling sweetly upon thy brow. The 
time is at hand when thou shalt undergo a change 
of life and be blessed not only with a fortune, but 
with all that, in which thou shalt see all of thy 
wishes answered. But before thou canst be per- 
mitted this, thou must give a solemn pledge to com- 
ply with the laws that I shall command thee within 
the jurisdiction of my kingdom. Raise thy right 
hand above thy brow, and place thy left hand upon 
thy heart as a token of the pledge. {He does so). 
— Behold ! When thou shalt be seated in thy stately 
wealth thou shalt not be a miser, burying thy treas- 
ures in the ground ; Thou shalt not be stingy when 
thou ought to be generous, for such is not vanity ; 
Thou shalt not abide in the impoverished mode of 
life as thou wast obliged to do in the past; Thou 
shalt assume an air of vanity inasmuch as thou wilt 
not make a fool of thyself; Thou shalt entertain thy 
friends and neighbors with costly feasts, banquets, 
dinners; and thou shalt keep plenty of servants for 
thyself and for thy future wife ; Thou shalt surround 
thy court with poets, philosophers, actors, actresses, 
sjangsters and invite foreign princes to pay thee visits 
so as to cause wonder and admiration. Ah! does 
that make thee smile, Karl Hanno? Listen: In all 
this splendor thou shalt not forget that once thou 
wast poor and those who desire to enter thy gates, 
thou shalt freely admit and treat them in such a way 
that vanity may command their respect- If thou 
wilt do this then wilt thou be fitted to be in control of 
great wealth and my kingdom will flourish, for I anj 
the Prince of Vanity. 
Destiny. — Next! 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 49 

Pozver of Love. — Karl Hanno Child of Destiny : Fear 
not! The Blessing- of all Good is smiling- sweetly 
upon thy brow, for the time is at hand when thou 
shalt be blessed not only with a fortune but with 
all that, in which thou shalt see all of thy wishes 
answered. But before thou canst be permitted 
this thou must give a solemn pledge to comply 
with the laws that I shall command thee within 
the jurisdiction of my kingdom. Raise thy right 
hand above thy brow, and place thy left hand 
upon thy heart as a token of this pledge. {He 
does so ) . 

— Behold! When thou shalt be seated in thy 
stately wealth thou shalt not close thy heart 
against others and be selfish ; thou shalt re- 
member those to whom thou owest thy love, and 
thou shalt make happy those who are depending- 
upon thy charity; thou shalt not give olfeuse to 
thy brother, or to the unfortunate because of thy 
riches, neither shalt thou make thy power felt on 
the weak, on thy servants, or on thy subordinates; 
Thou shalt not discount love, nor any deed of love 
from whatever source it may come. Remember: 
Love is the eternal law supreme and it never was, 
and never will be discounted by the Maker of all 
Things. And if any man shall discount love, or 
any deed of love he shall be branded by the curse 
of Destiny for this heavenly offense. If thou wilt 
abide by all this that I have commanded thee to 
do, then wilt thou be fitted to be in control of 
great wealth and my kingdom will flourish, for I 
am the Power of Love. 

Destiny. — Next ! 

Power of Evil. — Karl Hanno Child of Destiny. Fear 
no evil as thou -art in the hands of Destiny. The 



50 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

time is at hand when thou shalt be blessed, not 
onl}^ with a fortune but with all that, in which 
thou shalt see all of thy wishes answered. And 
in consequence of this the Power of Evil shall no 
more resolve upon thy fate. But before thou canst 
be permitted this thou must give a solemn pledg-e 
to comply with the laws that I shall command 
thee within the jurisdiction of my kingdom. 
Raise thy right hand above thy brow, and place 
thy left hand upon thy heart as a token of this 
pledge. {He does so)- 

-Behold! When thou shalt be seated in thy stately 
wealth, and if it shall happen that thy country 
shall be at war with another country, and if thy 
king and sovereign shall come to thee and apply 
for a war-loan, then shalt thou not refuse him a 
loan because war is an evil, but thou shalt let 
him have as many hundred millions as he shall 
ask for — {K. H.) — O, Destiny, is this a dream? — 
(Z?. ) — Behold thou art in presence of the Heav- 
enly Powers. Be holy! — {continued). War is an 
evil but remember: There shall always be evil 
• in this world. Evil against evil to keep the bal- 
ance of power, has become a law of the Common 
Order and thou shalt not tread upon laws which 
are permitted to exist by the Maker of all things, 
if thou wilt comply with this thou wilt then be 
fitted to be in control of great wealth and my 
kingdom will flourish, for I am the Power of Evil. 

Z?«/my.— Next! 

Power of 7 emftation—Kzx\ Hanno Child of Destiny : 
Be of good cheer. The time is at hand when 
thou shalt be blessed not only with a fortune but 
with all that in which thou shalt see all of thy 
wishes answered, But before thou canst be per. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. 51 

raitted this, thou must give a solemn pledge to 
comply with the laws that I shall command thee 
within the jurisdiction of mj' kingdom. Raise 
thy right hand above thy brow, and place thy left 
hand upon thy heart as a token of this pledge. 

{He does so)- 

— Beholdl When Ihou shall he sealed in thy slal.- 
ly wealth thou shall not put thy hands into thy 
pockets and go to sleep overth}^ wealth, but thou 
shall be as active as ever before. Thou wilt be 
tempted by new enterprises to gain power, high 
honors and even to occupy the seat of the gov- 
ernment. In all these things thou shall be wide 
awake in all of thy capacity to secure ^'ictory. H 
thou wilt do this then will thou be fittjed lo be in 
control of great wealth and my kingdom will 
flourish, for I am the Power of Temptation. 

Destiny. — Next ! 

Poiver of Accidents. — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny : 
Best Greeting. The lime is at hand when Ihou 
shall be blessed not only with a fortune, but with 
all that in which thou shall see all of thy wishes 
answered. But before thou canst be permitted 
this, thou must give a solemn pledge to comply 
with the laws that I shall command thee within 
the jurisdiction of my kingdom. Raise thy right 
hand above thy brow, and place thy left hand 
upon thy heart as a token of this pledge. {He 
does so). 

— Behold! When thou shall be seated in thy 
stately wealth, thou shall not ascribe thy grand 
success to thyself and call it "smart." Thou 
shall remember that whatsoever thou will be 
master of, that thou was permitted these attain, 
ments by Destiny under the Higher Order of 



ii THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

things, and that in this case thou wast destined 
to succeed. If thou wilt not comply with this, 
then wilt thou neither be fitted to be in control of 
great wealth, as thy fortune will not be protected 
by destiny and I shall cause accidents, bankruptcy 
and demoralization in thy earthly welfare, for I 
am the Power of Accidents. 

Desiiny.—l^JexV. 

Prince oj Poverty. — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny; 
Be of good cheer. The time is at hand that thou 
shalt be blessed not only with a fortune, but with 
all that in which thou shalt see all of thy wishes 
answered and thou shalt soon pass out of my 
hands. But before thou canst be permitted this 
thou must give a solemn pledge to comply with 
the laws that I shall command thee within the 
jurisdiction of my kingdom: Raise thy right 
hand above thy brow and place thy left hand upon 
thy heart, as a token of this pledge. {He does so.) 
— Behold! When thou shalt be seated in thy 
stately wealth thou shalt give great sums to the 
poor, but only in small drips to each individual so 
that their existence may continue from hand to 
mouth and that such men may remain in a state 
of poverty. The poor shall always be in this 
world and it has become a law of the Common 
Order and thou shalt not interfere with laws per- 
mitted to exist by the Maker of all Things. If 
thou wilt comply with this, then wilt thou be 
fitted to be in control of great wealth and my 
kingdom will flourish, for I am the Prince of 
Poverty. 

Destiny. — Next! 

Prince o/ Fools. — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny: 
Blessed is thy lot. The time is at hand that thou 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO 68 

shalt be blessed not only with a fortune, but with 
all that in which thou shalt see all of thy wishes 
answered. But before thou canst be permitted 
this, thou must give a solemn pledge to comply 
with the laws that I shall command thee within 
the jurisdiction of my king-dsm. Rai^e thy right 
hand above thy brow, and place thy left hand upon 
thy heart as a token of this pledge. {.He does so. ) 
— Behold thou shalt not make fools of others, but 
man, according to hisfreeact and will, may make 
a fool of himself. Now when thou shalt be seated 
in thy stately wealth, they will of course all won- 
der at the high hand of thine and speculate on 
the measure of thy happiness. Thou shalt then 
saj that thou wast happier when thou hadst but 
as now being dissatisfied with too much. They 
will pretend to believe it as thy can do no better 
and follow the plan of "high life," and thus make 
fools of themselves. There shall always be fools 
in this world, this has become a law of the Com- 
mon Order and thou shalt let it exist as it is per- 
mitted to exist by the Maker of all Things. If 
thou wilt do this, then shalt thou be fitted to be 
in control of great wealth and my kingdom will 
flourish, for I am the Prince of Fools. 

Oestiny. — Next! 

^rtnce of Wisdom. — Karl Hanno, Child of Destiny: Be 
cheery and happy. The Blessing of All Good is 
smiling sweetly upon thy brow for the time is at 
hand when thou shalt undergo a change of life and 
be blessed not only with a fortune but with all that 
in which thou shalt see all of thy wishes answered. 
But before thou canst be permitted this, thou 
must give a solemn pledge to comply with the laws 
that I shall command thee within the jurisdiction of 



54 THE DRAMA 0¥ DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 

my kingdom. Raise thy right hand above thy 
brow, and place thy left hand upon thy heart as 
a token of this pledge. {He does so.) 
— Behold! When thou shalt be seated in thy stately 
wealth thou shalt not try to carry thy head any 
higlfer than is thy ordinary tallness. Thou shalt 
not use braggarts' language, nor have a swelled head 
concerning thy riches- In society, and passing 
through the multitudes thou shalt not assume an 
overbearing attitude as much as thereby to pro- 
claim that thou art something great. In thy deal- 
ings observe prudence and guard th^i approaches of 
smooth tongues which might take advantage of thy 
vanity. Do not judge things from the outside. Fear 
nothing sajfe the Maker of thy soul. If thou wilt 
be faithful in all these things, then wilt thou be 
fitted to be in control of great wealth and my king- 
dom will flourish, for I am the Prince of Wisdom. 
{Karl Hanno has passed aroufid the circle and 
again approaches Destiny and they are face to 
face, ) 
Destiny. — Karl Hanno, my child: Thou art now at 
peace with the Heavenly Powers who are charged 
to carry out thy destiny. Thou hast made thy 
pledges with the nine Powers and Functionaries by 
whom thou shalt be permitted to succeed, not only 
to acquire a great fortune, but to attain all that in 
which thou shalt see all of thy wishes answered. It 
was known, and it was therefore seen at the day of 
thy birth, that on this day thou wouldst make these 
pledges and be faithful to them, and it was lor this 
reason that thou was destined at the age of forty - 
three years to be blessed with a fortune both in 
riches and happiness such as was never enjoyed by 
any mortal. After many storms in life henceforth 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 66 

there shall be sunshine and to love, and to be loved 
shall fill the measure of thy happiness. First of all 
I shall give thee instructions as to the manner of 
proceeding, how, and in what way this immense 
promised fortune of thine thou shalt obtain. 
—Behold! Thou shalt not go to Crystal City filled 
with gold to seize a fortune thereof as thou hast done 
hitherto. Thou shalt reach thy fortune without be- 
ing exposed to danger, and in a much simpler way, 
singular in art and yet so natural. In the abyss, in 
the Secret Cave passing under the Great River which 
is about a stone's throw from the first entrance, and 
where thou and thy beloved friend Titus broke 
through; way, way down on the bottom of an im- 
mense depth there lay 35,000,000 ounces of pure 
and solid gold ($700,000,000) and the bones of 
many human bodies all of which in the course of 
many centuries dropped through as they passed 
upon the weak spot. But now, neither thou nor any 
other man can go down to the bottom of the abyss 
of such immense depth and seize this gold. But it 
will come to pass that after forty days a number of 
dragons {serpe?its havins; wings) who inhabit the 
depth of the earth, will hunt for themselves a new 
dwelling. They will enter this abyss and desire to 
make it their home. They will find everything 
agreeable except this gold, which is an injury to 
their eyes on account of its phenomenal glittering. 
One by one they will seize this gold and bring it all 
up through the breach of the abyss and lay it upon 
the surface all around the breach. Thou shalt be at 
hand and immediately remove the same as the in- 
creased weight of the gold will cause another breach 
and the gold will again drop down the abyss. The 
art and method adapted to transport the gold to a 



56 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

place of safe-keeping, and to secure thyself against 
robbery, or any other attacks, thou must provide for 
thyself. Thou hast been instructed by the nine 
Powers and Functionaries what policy to pursue 
and that is alone correct, namely : that thou shalt 
not put thy hands into thy pockets and go to sleep 
over thy wealth, but to be wide awake in 
all thy capacity to secure victory. Remember Titus 
to whom thou owest thy love. Remember all the 
instructions and commandments given thee by the 
Powers and Functionaries and if thou wilt be faith- 
ful in all these things then will the fairest conditions 
of life and happiness be established. 
— But before all of these transactions can receive my 
seal and signature thou must give a solemn pledge 
to do what I shall command thee to do : Raise thy 
right hand above thy brow and place thy left hand 
upon thy heart as a token of this pledge- {He does 
so.) 

— Behold! Teach all men that man is not the maker 
of his own destiny: For if man, and each man be 
the maker of his own destiny, there could no longer 
exist a Higher Ordinance but in place of that, there 
would be chaos and confusion. Teach all men that 
all things were foreseen and that his destiny was 
fixed according to the coming events in life, circum- 
stances, and the purpose that lay in these things. 
Teach all men that his destiny was fixed according 
to his fitness and future conduct in life. Teach all 
men that man is not a machine of destiny whose vo- 
cation is already determined by its construction, but 
teach them at the same time that destiny is neither 
the machine of man. 

— When thou wast born, thou wast found to be a 
healthy little baby with a constitution strong- 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 67 

enougfh to overcome all the little baby sicknesses; 
and thou wast destined to live a young boy in 
spite of all the dangers that might threaten thy 
life. It was foreseen that when thou wouldst be 
a young boy, thou wouldst have developed very, 
nicely and not drawing on death on thy own part, 
thou wast destined to live a man. It was fore- 
seen that when thou wouldst be a man, and not 
drawing on death on thy own part, thou wast des- 
tined to live an old aged man. Consequently at 
the day of thy birth thou wast destined to live an 
old aged man and wast granted a safe conduct 
through life, to be rescued when in peril and fate. 
Fear nothing, my child, safe the Maker of thy 
soul. Be true and faithful in all things and it 
shall be well with thee forever. {Scene closes)- 



SECTION II. 

[vScENE— Aa^/ Hanno is at home. Their house is a dwelling 
of modest appearance. In a large room the /amity is gathered, 
consisting of father, mother. Louis, and Lidia Hanno., Titus and 
his wife. They are all attentive to hear what Karl has to say as 
he takes thefloor\. 

Karl H. — Happiest greeting- to you all: 

—Behold! The tiwe is at hand when I iihall 
underg-o a change of life from poverty to wealth 
and be blessed not only with a fortune, but with 
all that in which I shall see all of my wishes an- 
swered. Thus far we have been striving" faith- 
fully with all efforts to bring the standard of life 
to a higher level, but we have met with failure 
and disappointment. All this will change, and 
all things will be made new. Father, mother, 
brother, sister, take your woes and cares and for- 
ever let them drop down to the bottomless depths 
of the abyss whence they will never return again. 
For the dream of ray life, that I shall see at least 
one moment in life in which I shall see all of my 
wishes answered, is now about to become a reality 
and the conviction of this moment which I so fond- 
ly cherished in my heart in all the days of my life 
is now provin|u- to be a divine truth. And you, Titus, 
be of good cheer, for I shall soon be able to repay 
you thousand — and thousandfold. Not so much for 
what you have given me. which was always half 
of all that you had acquired, but for the sympathy 
and love so cherished in your bosom for me that 
you have never left me in my destitution. Be- 
lieve me, though it is beyond comprehension, it 
is even true that I have presently seen things of 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 59 

an indescribable manifestation and my promised 
lot bears the seal and sigfnature of Destin}'. {All 
hetvildered. ) 

— Karl! Karl! are you sure of bein^^ awake? The 
story is too good to believe. 

Karl H . — Listen! On my tour through the country I 
stopped in a large, isolated and deserted farm- 
house through the night. I laid me down on the 
floor and went sound asleep. All at once I woke 
up by the noise of sharp raps. Looking, I saw a 
man standing near by me and candidly he spoke: 
"Art thou afraid of spirits?" "I am not," I re- 
plied. Said he: "Then raise thy right hand 
above thy brow and place thy left hand upon thy 
heart and thou wilt be in presence of the Heaven- 
ly Powers." I did so and I was in presence of 
ten spirits assembled around me in a circle and 
controlled by one of them. There was a thrill, 
that went through my veins followed by a high 
sensation of bliss when the chief of them an- 
nounced to me the intended purpose. "Karl 
Hanno, thou art the Child of Destiny," he pro- 
ceeded, ''fear not! The time is at hand when 
thou shalt undergo a change of life from povert}' 
to wealth as thou shalt be blessed not only with 
a fortune, but with all that in which thou shalt 
see all of thy wishes answered." After so many 
things and after so many ceremonies and pledges 
and communications were transacted, with which 
I shall make you acquainted hereafter, then was 
disclosed to me in what manner, in what way, 
and how I should obtain the promised fortune in 
riches and happiness so great as was never before 
enjoyed by any mortal. {All arc staggered.) 

Mrs. Hanno. — At last heaven is showing its face and 



^ THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO, 

the g-loomy clouds of poverty are pierced by the 
sun of the promised fortune. And why should 
you not be worthy of these things, my son? You 
have had many misfortunes in your life and they 
were always too ready to blame you for your in- 
born piety, and pitied you for the lack of dash 
and shrewdness which is commanding" success, 
but you bore all these insults so manfully with 
such purity of heart that it could not be other- 
wise than that the conduct of your life should be 
recognized with divine favor. "With this my 
inborn piety I shall either rise or fall," was al- 
ways your maxim. But you will not fall, you 
will rise: for all things are pointing toward that 
event. Victory! Victory! Victory! 

Louis H. — Mother! you bear the true stamp of a 
mother: If nothing else will make your son 
great, you will. Well, we shall see. 

Titus. — Karl! Karl! I would be only too willing to be- 
lieve all truthful things were it not beyond com- 
prehension. It staggers my senses. 

Mt . Hanno. — All these high sounding phrases do very 
little to lift the weight of poverty and unless I 
can see something positive in the newly created 
hope, I am slow to accept such visionary co- 
nundrum of spirits. Vision! Vision! Well, we 
shall see. 

Karl H' — Nothing visionary. Hope is dismissed. 
All is positive. For these spirits have told me so 
many many things that it would be impossible 
ever to commit them to memory; but I have them 
all in my memory; so clear, so positive, so dis- 
tinct that not an Iota is missing. 

litus. — Then I demand: Show us clearly, positively, 
and distinctly in what manner, in what way, and 
how the promised fortune shall be obtained. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 61 

Karl H. — Listen and I will tell you: Not Crys- 
tal City filled with gold is harboring- our fortune 
as might be supposed. We shall reach our for- 
tune without being- exposed to danger and in a 
much simpler way, singular in art, and yet so 
natural. The abyss, remember, near the mouth 
of the Secret Cave where we twice broke through, 
way, way down on the bottom of its immense 
depths there lay 35,000,000 ounces of pure, solid 
gold ($700,000,000) and the bones of many human 
bodies, all of which in the course of many cen- 
turies dropped through as they passed upon the 
weak spot. But now, no man can ever go down 
to the bottom of the abyss to seize this gold. But 
it will come to pass that after 37 days from now, 
a number of dragons will hunt for themselves a 
new dwelling. They will enter this abyss and 
desire to make it their home. They will find 
everything agreeable except this gold which is an 
injury to their eyes on account of its phenomenal 
glittering brightness. One by one they will seize 
the gold and bring it all up through the breach 
of the abyss and lay it upon the surface all around 
the breach. We must then be at hand and imme- 
diately remove it as the increased weight of the 
gold will cause another breach and the gold may 
again drop down the abyss. This is what I was 
told by the spirits, and the day will prove that it 
is correct. 

(All indulge in shouts and praises of Karl Hanno 
seemingly without end). 

Titus — Now I can see great things. This revelation 
bears the mark of truth, for it is very reasonable 
that lots of gold must be down in the abyss. 
Anyhow, our 700 pounds are there; that we know. 



62 THE DRAMA OF DE8TmY-KARL HANNO. 

And that such thing's as drag-oas might prowl 
round in abysses is an old known thing; and that 
the glance and glitter of the gold probably hurts 
their eyes, as they are used to darkness, that all 
stands to reason and there is nothing visionary in 
that. But why in Sam's conundrum didn't we 
think ol thai? Oh! how ashamed do I feel now 
when looking at myself how in the past I was 
clinging to the theory, "Man is the maker of his 
own destiny." And how have you so patiently 
waited for the moment to come in which the tide 
oJ" life would take a turn, and now, how little will 
1 appear when you are seated in your stately 
wealth, V)lessed with all that in which you shall 
see all of your wishes answered? But Karl, re- 
member all that I have done for you, as you have 
readily confessed it, was not done in a spirit to 
be paid back with high interest, as I never had 
an idea that you would ever rise above your pov- 
erty. But now when you are in possession of that 
immense fortune, and whatever you do in your 
exalted state, all I ask, do not deny the sympathy 
and love that I have cherished in my bosom for you. 
Korl H. — The moon and the stars shall drop to the 
ground ere I shall deu}- you in any of this, ray fu- 
ture magnificence. For the same power that has 
promised me all these things, has also given me 
laws to abide by namely: To remember those to 
whom I owe my love, and to make happy those 
who are depending upon my charity. And the 
sympathy and love so cherished in your bosom 
for me in my destitution is now recognized by the 
Maker of all Things as in the foregoing proceed- 
ings I was particularly reminded to remember you; 
and told that Love, or any Deed of Love, never 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 68 

was, and never will be discounted by the Maker 
of all Things; and that, if any man shall dis- 
count Love, or any Deed of Love, he shall be 
branded by the curse of Destiny for this heavenly 
offense. But enoug-h of this. There is something 
else to be done now: 35,000,000 ounces of ^old 
equaling- in value §700,000,000, how will we get 
this staggering- fortune to a place of safekeeping, 
and how about the means of transportation? 

Titus. — Keep all things secret. 

Man H. — I think we tried this scheme once before, 
and failed. It will take 1,(MK) wag-ons to '.oad .^5, - 
000,000 ounces of gold- 

Lidia H. — Bury it there in the ground. 

Karl H. — That I durst not do as I would not be fitted 
to be in control of great wealth. For me to be 
rich is to be wide awake and to employ ray for- 
tune in such a way as to cause wonder and ad - 
miration. You will be surprised, I tell you. 

Mrs. Hanno. — After all, perhaps it would be better to 
be content with little than to be dissatisfied with 
too much. 

Karl H. — No! The Prince of Fools commanded me not 
to believe such a thing as long as I don't want 
to become his subject. 

Mrs. Titus. — Why I don't see what you want with 
$700,000,000. Who ever heard of such a thing? 

Louis H' — Let me give you a pointer : Suppose we 
gather an army of poverty-stricken men to 
help us in the transportation of this gold: we 
take half, and give them the other half and let 
them have a bite of the fortune. How is that? 

Karl H' — No! I was commanded to give money to the 
poor ouly in small drips so that they may continue 
to make an existence from hand to mouth. There 



64 THE DUAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

shall always be poor in this world. This has 
become a law of the Common Order and I must 
not tread upon a law permitted to exist by the 
Maker of all Things. 

Mr. Hanno. — So then I understand God wants to have 
poor in this world and to make them all rich, 
would be out of order. Is that it? 

Karl H. — Yes! and that is piety, too. 

Louis //.—Must you take care of all the 35,000,000 
ounces of gold? 

Karl H. — To be sure I must else I would not be fitted 
to be in control of great wealth, consequently I 
could not succeed. 

Mrs. Hanno. — Well, did I eyer see anything so strangel 

Louis H. — Well ma, that's the way it is; we poor 
people don't possess capacity enough to take care 
of a fortune. No wonder 

Mrs. Titus. — Yes! and then they wonder, and wonder 
why they were not destined to be rich. 

Titus. — Well, well, now this is empty talk. We'll take 
care of it. How is this: Suppose we could make 
a deal with the government and move his Majesty to 
protect us against any attack of robbery; and sup- 
pose his Majesty is urged to make a loan, it would 
not be impossible to dictate terms to him to suit our 
purpose. Or how is this: Suppose we could not 
make a deal with the government in the case of a 
loan, and suppose we go and establish a sort of a 
money center right there where the gold is, and if 
then the plan would not prove to be practical, we 
could at any time thereafter do what ought to be 
done. The scheme ought to work. 

Karl H. — The scheme ought to work, yes; but the 
scheme might not work, because it ought to work, 
and as for a reason I think this: Would it be prac- 



THE DRAMA OP DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 65 

tical at any rate to establish a money center seven 
to eight hundred miles away from civilization? In 
my estimation, it is not like business and therefore 
the scheme is not genuine- As to the plan to strike 
a deal with the government, in my estimation, the 
scheme is correct. But the government is not in 
need of making a loan now and his Majesty would 
not be willing to send out an expedition to promote 
a private undertaking at the public expense. On 
the other hand, he might be willing to do that but 
we would have to pay very likely an extravagant 
price for it. And this, in my estimation) we will 
not do. It is not like business. But suppose the 
government were in sore need of money and we 
could furnish them a loan and dictate terms to his 
Majesty, then would our undertaking become a pub- 
lic affair, and his Majesfy would have his hands free 
and send out an expedition on the public expense and 
the whole transportation of the gold would not cost 
us anything. And that is like business. 

Titus. — Crackerty, wreckerty — then let us have war! 
Any old thing will do for a pretext to stir up the 
country and the people against a foreign nation and 
the government will soon discover an empty treas- 
ury in the capital compelling them to make a War 
Loan. But mind you, it must be a war on a large 
scale, to make sure that the government will be com- 
pelled to accept our terms. War is cruel, but what 
do we care when others fight the battles. 

Karl H. — That's getting the thing down to a fine 
point. 1 thought of that, but did hate to come out 
with it. Now, if you think you can stir up the 
country to plunge it into a big war with a foreign 
nation, and if you think you can make those believe 
who fight the battles that our war is a Righteous 



» THE DRA.MA OF DBSTINT-KARL HANNO. 

war, and if you can believe this yourseli and keep 
your conscience clear, I say "go ahead," and we 
will furnish the government a War I^oan. It's busi- 
ness! It is business- 

Mrs. ff anno. — Horrible! just horrible ! Just think, to 
plunge the country into a bloody war to suit the 
purpose of a few individuals. My son, what has 
become of your piety? 

Karl H. — lam not going to stir up war,- mother! I 
said: If Titus can stir up war and keep his con- 
science clear, to go ahead. 

lifus. — Well, this I cannot do. 

Karl H. — So then we will not have war, mother! Be 
satisfied now. 

7iius- — Well, that knocks us out on that scheme. 

Karl H. — But I say this : Although I will not by 
any manner of act, in public or private, stir up war, 
as I am opposed to that, yet if war should come 
from any other source, and my king and sovereign 
should come to me to furnish him a War Loan, I 
tell you, I shall let him have as many hundred 
millions as he shall ask for. War is an evil, but 
there shall always be evil in this world. "Evil 
against Evil to keep the Balance of Power." This 
has become a law of the Common Order and I must 
let it exist, as it is permitted to exist by the Maker 
of all Things. 

Lidia H' — Why brother, would you really furnish the 
government a War Loan if war should come? Sup- 
pose that you could prevent a great war and save 
thousands of human lives by not furnishing the 
government a War Loan, would you not do it for 
humanity's sake? 

Kafl H.—VJ^y sister Lidia— I am not prepared for 
so ticklish a question gs that is. But I say^ if war 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. OT 

should come from any other source, I shall furnish 
the government a War Loan without weighing the 
question: For if I will not, others will, and I 
would not be fitted to be in control of great wealth. 
It is business! strictly business! 

lii&us. — War, in my estimation, is indispensible in this 
world, and no man has ever been so great to 
invent something in its place. "Evil against Evil 
to keep the Balance of Power." 
— Why certainly! 

Mrs. Titus — War, in my estimation, is cruel and dis- 
tasteful, and it should be discarded from the re- 
cords of civilization. But if it is an ' 'Evil ag-ainst 
Evil to keep the Balance of Power" and if this 
has become a law of the Common Order, in ray 
estimation, it would be quite foolish to undertiike 
to revolutionize an established order of thing-s. 

Louis H. — War, in my estimation, is cruel and dis- 
tasteful, but it has made many heroes'; broug-ht 
national prosperity, and always has been the 
great agent of civilization. So then let us have 
war. 

Mr. Hanno. — So then you have come to the conclusion 
that war is an institution of the Common Order, 
have you? 

Karl H. — Yes, pa. What conclusion have you come 
to? 

Mr. Hanno. — I have come to a conclusion to give you 
a good pointer on that: Go to the national capi- 
tal and have an interview with the king on that 
subject. 

Tittis. — O, no, father Hanno, that wouldn't do. The 
king must be compelled to come to us, then we 
can dictate terms to him; but if we go to the king 
we play the trump right into his hand and he will 
dictate terms to us. You see the point? 



68 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Mr. Hanno. — I do. But better let him have one 
trump than lose all the cards. Suppose you could 
do no better than to pay the king- an extravagant 
price for sending out an expedition, how much 
would this extravagent price be? You know war 
is not in sight. 

litus.—We. will see: 1,000 wagons upon which to load 
the gold; 8,000 troops to give it a safe-conduct; 
3,000 hands; 2,000 helpers; 4,000 horses; provis- 
ions and supplies for nearly a month. The expe. 
dition will cost at a reasonable price $3,000,000^ 
and at an extravagant price $5,000,000. 

Mr. I/anno.— l>ioy: what is $5,000,000 out of $700,000,- 
000? 

Karl H. — Yes, pa, but that's not all. The real point 
is this; If the king were compelled to come to 
us to furnish him a War-Loan, we could dictate 
terms to him to the effect to store away our gold 
in the government vaults and to place a guard 
over it. The protection of the government is 
almost indispensible. $10,000,000 would not pay 
for the accommodation that we could get out 
of the government if the king were compelled to 
come to us to furnish him a War-Loan. But of 
course war will not come to further our purpose. 

Titns. — But what would you do if war should break 
out now, right off, to-day, or any time yet before 
we start for the Secret Cave. You say we have 
37 days yet before the display of the dragons will 
come to pass. 

Karl H. — What would I do? Why I should go at 
once to the national capital and give the govern- 
ment a chance to see rae about a War-Loan. But 
now understand they must cgme to us, then we 
caiji have it our own way. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. 69 

Titus. — What a power there is in that precious metal I 
( The weekly paper comes in from Saint Marliduke, the 
national capital of the Hobbies, and Mrs. Titus reads 
the political news.) 

Mrs, lituS' — Listen to the news! 

— "May 23d: The session of the parliament had 
for its purpose an increase of the army and the navy 
and as might be expected, met with opposition. Hot 
debates ensuing from both sides, resulting however 
in the defeat of the bill on the ground, that peace 
was yet secure; the political horizon as clear as 
ever and that there was no demand for an increase 
of the army and navy, especially as the national 
treasury was showing a deficit in spite of the already 
heavy taxation of the people." 

Karl H. — That settles that. No war, and no War- Loan,- 
and we might as well get ready and start to the Se- 
cret Cave ; the sooner the better. And if we can do 
no more, we can at least remove the gold away from 
the breach. This we must do under all and any cir- 
cumstances. And if we can do no better we must 
at last resort to the objectionable means of burjing 
it in the ground for safekeeping until we can pro- 
cure means of transportation. We cannot tell what 
may yet happen. Perhaps we can make a deal with 
the government thereafter. Titus! good old Hobby, 
let us settle it right here: 35,000,000 ounces of gold 
is equal in value to $700,000,000; 8350,000,000 will 
be yours. Now sign these papers certifying that 
this is your share. Now will that satisfy you? 

Titus. — No I and again, No! I cannot accept it; it is too 
much; I am not entitled to so much. And why 
sign papers? 

Karl H. — Oy it might come handy to show them before 
an authority. Now come sign these papers for your 
share of $350,000,000. 



70 THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KAEL HANNO. 

Titus. — No, I am not entitled to so much as it has not 
cost me a breath to acquire it, 

Karl H' — Makes no difference, you have always done 
the same with me, giving me half of what you ac- 
quired. 

Titus. — Yes, but that did not amount to so much. 

Karl H. — It did, too. One dollar in need is worth a hun- 
dred when you have plenty, and I want you to ac- 
cept this. 

Titus. — No, I tell you; I will not accept it- It is too 
much. 

Karl H. — But you must. I insist upon it. It is your 
legal share, in accordance to our pledges to each 
other: "Not to leave one another until the fairest 
conditions of life and happiness are established." 
Dare you do me such insult as to refuse to take half 
of mine which I want to give you with a ready heart? 
Now you take half of this and sign these papers. 
You must. 

Titus. — I must not. I will not. I can not. And let 
this be the last of it. 

Karl H. — How much then will you accept? 

7«V«5— .5,000,000 ounces; $100,000,OCO Is all I want to 

take care of. 

Lidia H. {aside) . — Pa, what do you make of that? It 

sounds like a fable. 
Pa H. {aside) .—I think that's all it is. 

Karl H. — Then sign these papers for 5,000,000 ounces 

of gold as a legal protection for your own good. 

They might come handy. 
Titus. — All right — ( Titus signs the Papers for 5 ,000,000 

ounces of gold, $100,000,000) ; and I will be then 

the second richest man in the world. 
Katl H. — Well you are the first man that I have ever 

seen that could be satisfied. 



THE dBama of DESTINT-KABL HANNO. U 

Mr. HannO' — Now if your scheme is really not a spirit- 
ual conundrum, Karl, you may hit it. 

Karl H, — Never mind, pa. I have everything to gain 
and nothing to lose. But I know one thing: The 
conviction of my heart must be first satisfied ere I 
can say to this world: "Thou owest me nothing." 

Titus, — Now Karl remember, this is your trip. You 
are supposed to take the lead, I, to follow. Have 
you provided for everything? 

Karl H. — Everything is ready to start. You know this 
time we don't need ropes, nor a casket; no rivers 
to swim across. Yes! we are right in it. So then 
all farewell. Off we go. ( They ttari ) 

Stran^r {Enters) .—'^zxX War I War! Warl War has 
been declared. 



SECTION III. 

(Scene— /^ is a building on an immensely large scale bearing 
all the features of royalty in one of the mightiest cities on earth. 
This is ''The Parliament Building y It consists of a large hall 
where parliament meets, and a chamber adjacent to the entrance 
of the parliament hall called ''the WaiHng Parlor:' Parliament 
meets and the session is opened by the king with the "Speech from 
the Throne,'' having for its purpose to secure a War-Loan fur- 
nished by all the great financiers of the country who are also pres- 
ent at the right of the throne by a group to itself among whom 
are also Karl Hanno and Titus.) 

Kine;. — To the servants of the state, to the subjects and 
to the representatives of the nation : 

In God We Trust. 
— This is a moment which, could all things be 
controlled by human power, we would have gladly 
avoided and exult in the blessings of peace. But 
the destiny of a nation as well as that of every in- 
dividual, guided and governed by the eternal laws 
of the Higher Ordinance, has often designs different 
from those of ours. As a nation we have desired 
peace, but our desires have been follied by abuses, 
insults, and by violations of national rights and 
honor from an other nation which, as we would 
have presumed only a fortnight ago, could not have 
been possible. As a consequence of this evil event 
so brought on by the will of an ill-feeling people at 
our border, your king and sovereign in the name of 
his government has declared war against this inso - 
lent and arrogant neighbor of ours in order to main- 
tain our national rights and honor. In consequence 
of this we shall do well to suit ourselves to the 
situation in which we are presently involved, to 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 78 

serve his national interests as though it were his 
own affair and in such a way that peace again may 
soon be restored in the achievement of our victory. 
This is our prayer. {Exit.) 

Premier. — To the parliament: 

— In consequence of the sudden outburst of this 
war things are rushing, and the transaction of 
business connected therewith is to assume a quick 
forward move direct to the point without the par- 
liamentary clumsiness in the way of its decision. 
— First: It is the object of this parliamentary 
session to consider the state of finances, having 
in view the express purpose to vote the govern- 
ment a War-Loan to meet the expenses of the war 
carried on on the largest scale for three months. 
— Second: For the parliament to give its indorse- 
ment that the War-Loan must be furnished by 
the great financiers of our country so as to keep 
us free from any foreign obligations. Prince of 
Grain, the Hobby Treasurer, will state before 
parliament the condition of the national treasury. 

H. Treasurer — Your honor: The national treasury of 
the Hobbies is empty. 

Premier.- Everything is surprising; but to the point: 
The Minister of War will state the amount needed 
for carrying on the war on the largest scale for 
three months. Make your statements short! 

Min. of War. — Your honor: The amount necessary to 
carry on the war on the largest scale for three 
months, both for the army and the navy, by a 
force of 700,000 men is 1425,000.000. 

Piemie?. — To be short, parliament is asked to vote a 
War-Loan amounting to the sum of $425,000,000. 
Is there any opposition? 

From the right. — Your honor: I move that par« 



74 THE DHAMA OF DESTINY-KAEL HANNO. 

liament ^ratit this loan without further delay, 
and that the loan be furnished by the great finan- 
ciers of our own country. 
Premier. — Any opposition? — No opposition! — The 
motion is carried. 

— The g-overnment is granted a War-Loan of 
^25,000,000, voted by parliament in this extra 
session, and the loan must be furnished by the 
great financiers of our own country as we desire 
to keep free from any foreign obligations. 
[Parliament is dismissed, but all the great financiers 
remain.) 

Premier- — Now ye great financiers of the country, the 
government is looking up to your financial aid, to 
stand by the country and to furnish the War -Loan 
as we desire to keep free-from any foreign obligations. 
Proceed with your offers ; quick and short to the 
point. 

Chief of the Banks. — Your honor: All the banks in the 
county, at present, can furnish no more than $50,- 
000,000. The issue is coming too quickly. 

Milt' of War. — Heavens! is that all? — that's right — 

Premier. — Everything is surprising! But mind you: 
You ought to stand by the country and furnish the 
loan, even should it come out of your private pock- 
ets. The country now is in sore need of it. 

Chief of the Banks. — Yes! yes! I understand very well, 
but our private pockets desire to keep free from 

foreign obligations. 

Karl H. to Titus {aside) — We will wait a little yet. 
Titus to Karl H {aside) — Yes, let ihe govern aient be 
driven into the cormr. 
Premier. — What can be done? If there is no other way 
to raise the loan we must apply to our common cit- 
izens* 
Chie/ of the Banks.— Y out honor: — The banks got all 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. % 

the money of the common citizens, and the wealthy 
ones have got their money invested in foreign Secu- 
rities. I think this war has come at a wrong time. 

Premier. — Yes, but this is business of the government. 
But then : Shall the government after all be driven 
to foreign obligations? 
Titus to Karl H. (a^z^^.)— Now, Karl, let loose. 

Karl H. — Your honor: I will furnish the govern- 
ment the War- Loan of $425,000,000 out of my own 
pocket, but I desire to have a private interview with 
the head of the government to arrange terms and 
conditions to suit both parties effecting the loan. 
{All bewildered. ) 

Premier. — Everything is surprising! But is it really 
possible that there is One man in the Hobby nation 
able to do such a thing? This is a staggering state- 
ment and I am hardly prepared to believe the good 
story. Well, we shall see: You shall have your 
private interview with the head of the government. 
And that lets you out, ye great financiers. 
{The Premier, Karl Hanno, Titus, the Minister of 
War and the Secretary of the State repair into the Wait' 
ing Parlor and are joined by the King. Ail others 
leave. ) 

Titus to Karl {aside.) — Don't bring in your spirits when 

speaking to the King. 
Karl.— O, no! for heaven's sake. 

King. — Premier may present the purpose of this confi- 
dential interview. 

Premier. — His Majesty King may not be surprised to 
hear that the War Loan of $425,000,000 could not 
be raised by all the great financiers of the country; 
but his Majesty may rightfully be surprised to hear 
that no more than $50,000,000 could be raised by all 
the banks of the country owing to the various cir- 
cumstances of the financial system. After all the 



76 THE DEAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

financial sources became exhausted, Karl Hanno, 
this gentleman here in his Majesty's presence, offers 
to furnish the War-Loan of $425,000,000 out of his 
own private wealth, depending however upon cer- 
tain conditions, for which reason he also prefers to 
have a private interview with the head of the gov- 
ernment as regards the loan. Things are all sur- 
prising ! 

King' — Karl Hanno, your high honor is met with the 
greatest pleasure of your king and sovereign es- 
pecially in a moment like this when the country has 
need of you. In all the land, and the world over 
there is nothing to compare with you, nothing to 
compare with the astounding wealth controlled by 
you a man who is able to answer the wishes of a mighty 
nation. Your high honor is now graciously invited 
to make known upon what conditions your honor can 
afford to furnish the War -Loan, and if the conditions 
are in any way acceptable the deal shall be made, 
and closed forthwith. You may speak freely, with- 
out restraint in a confidential manner. It is now 
business, understand! 

Karl H. — As it has so far pleased his Majesty to 
meet my modesty under the existing circumstances, 
I am equally as glad and ready to render my useful- 
ness to the service of my king and sovereign as to 
the country as well regards furnishing the War Loan. 
The conditions upon which this loan is depending, 
is not the arbitrary policy of my financial sway, but 
they are conditions equally imposed on myself. It 
is thus: His Majesty is of course well aware of the 
newly explored country beyond the Great River 
whose main attraction is Crystal City filled with 
g"old. Many schemes and enterprises have foun- 
dered on account of the barrier of the Great River 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. 77 

forbidding access to this illustrious place. In com- 
pany with my friend Titus we have made more than 
one trip to Crystal City, resulting, however, in 
failures- But on one of these trips, and under 
peculiar circumstances, we have discovered a mys- 
terious cave, and a chasm within its gorge, and there 
lay hidden 35,000,000 ounces of pure, solid gold 
ready for use, equaling of course, $700,000,000. 
One -seventh of this amount, or 5,000,000 ounces, 
is the share of my business partner, Titus. Now I 
shall furnish the government the War- Loan upon 
the following conditions : 

— First: The government shall fit out an expedi- 
tion under the auspices of Karl Hanno and his busi- 
ness partner, Titus, to be sent out 600 miles from the 
border of our country to the Great River, the newly 
explored country, in order to transport 35,000,000 
ounces of gold. The expedition must be furnished 
with 1,000 wagons or transports upon which to load 
the gold, and an escort party of six regiments, 5,000 
men, to give it a safe-conduct against any attack of 
robbery. 

— Second: The gfovernment shall give guaran- 
tee that all the expenses connected with this ex- 
pedition, shall be free of charge to the furnisher 
of the War- Loan. 

-Third: The government shall permit the re- 
mainder of the gold of Karl Hanno and Titus to 
be stored away in the government vaults for safe 
keeping with a guard placed over it during the 
storage, but the owners of the gold are to have 
complete control thereof. 

— Fourth: The expedition is urged to start 
within three days so as^to be there in twenty-one 
days hence, 



tS THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARL HANNO. 

— Only upon these conditions shall I be able to 
furnish the War-Loan of $425,000,000. 

King. — The conditions here so stated are all accept- 
able, except that the storag-e of the remainder of 
the g-old in g-overnment vaults, and its safe-guard- 
ing-, must be paid for, as this is a private affair 
and cannot g'o on public expense. 

Karl Hanno. — Very obediently do we agree to pay for 
this. Will his majesty demand the sum to be paid 
for the storag-e of the g-old annually? 

King. — $4,000,0000 is graciously demanded for the 
storage of said gold annually, 

Karl Hanno. — And this shall be paid out of the inter- 
est of the War -Loan for which I legally charg-e 2 
per cent annually amounting- to ;?8,500,000 a year. 

'Premier. — Well I consider that a g-ood bargain on the 
part of the loaner and on the part of the govern- 
ment. I consider it is the best that can be done. 
For the national necessity of war is really the 
dictator of terms, and his Majesty will be prudent 
to close the deal. 

King — I say, g-o ahead. The secretary will draw up 
the papers stipulating the articles of agreements 
as set forth in these proceedings of both parties. 

Secretary — His Majesty: It is necessary for his busi- 
ness partner to produce papers showing his share 
of the gold that is to be stored away in the gov- 
ernment vaults. 

{Titus produces the papers which Karl Hanno caused him 
to sign with regard to his share of the gold. The papers are 
drawn up, signed and ratified by all parties, and delivered 
over to Karl Hanno. Exit King.) 

Premier. — That closes the deal as far as the papers 
are concerned. The loan is yet to be furnished. 
And the expedition will be ready to start at 6 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARL HANNO. 79 

o'clock in the morning. The king- left a note 
here with me requesting you {Karl H and Titus) 
to remain here for a while; he has something- vet 
to communicate to you. 

Tiius. — Thfjnk you for your candid assistance in our 
transactions with the king. We are men to be de- 
pended upon and we will furnish the War- Loan if 
the expedition does not fail to bring all the gold 
hither. We shall see you again and remember you. 

Ptrmier. — Adieu! {Exit Karl Hayiyio and Titus re- 
main in the Waiting Parlor. 

Titus. — I am glad that we can be to ourselves again. 
But could it be possible for heaven to change its 
face so suddenly? Things transpire as though it 
were a dream. Compare this moment with that 
when first I met you at the edge of the forest along- 
side of the Mountain -Meadow sitting on a bundle of 
evergreen and craving for hope; compare this mo- 
ment with that when in sympathy and manly love I 
endeavored to persuade you to follow me in the pur- 
suance of our earthly welfare. And to-day. — What 
a change ! We can only stagger at the high ■ handed 
dispensation of things so witnessed by us during 
these few days. It is too much, too bewildering, 
too overwhelming to go over the field again and 
dwell on the all wonderful events that have followed 
one after the other as though it were a dramaiic play 
with a fixed plot. No ! No ! Never ! No, never will 
I again believe that man is the maker of his own 
destiny. For these are things of an order higher 
than man is able to dictate. It is the Higher 
Ordmance set forth by the Maker of all Things and 
over which no man has power to exercise his in- 
fluence or to shape his destiny, but of which he is 
simply the actor in the drama. I behold now how 



80 THl DBAMA OP DESTINT-KABL HINNO. 

the consequence of a small cause can change the 
whole course of the human life. Had we been suc- 
cessful in our first trip to Crystal City, the course of 
our life would have been entirely different and we 
would not be here under circumstances like these, 
treating with kings and sovereigns. Karl, you are 
right in it. You are the Child of Destiny. 

Karl H' — We made a good bargain, don't you think? 

Titus. — Yes! and secured further advantages still. What 
accounts for the development of your great busi- 
nesslike capacity? 

A'ar/ //.—What accounts for it? Ah! I never had a 
chance to show my businesslike capacity. My 
faculties are the same as before and while they had 
nothing to do in the past, they find now employ- 
ment. For me to be successful is to be wide awake 
«to secure victory. I saw that the king and the gov- 
ernment were hard pressed in raising the War -Loan 
and I simply took advantage of the business. I 
suppose they know it. 

Titus. — Strange if they wouldn't- But you have given 
your act of shrewdness an innocent appearance so 
that it did not touch the king's vanity. That was 
good tactics- 

Karl H. — O yes, now that we are in the saddle, we shall 
know how to ride. Just wait! I think I learot 
something : Now whenever we want to gain a good 
point in dealing with our patrons, we must hide our 
sharklike keenness and appear innocent, and by so 
doing we will get their confidence. But that would 
not be honest, would it? 

7«7tt.y.— What's the difference? They do the same. 
Weight against weight to make the scale balance ; I 
find nothing wrong in that. Remember the laws of 
nature \ 



THE OR4Mi. OF DESTINY-KIBL H4NN0 81 

Karl H- — That's right. We must abide by the laws ot 
nature not to suffer an evil consequence. We can 
always be honest and fair to others but we shall not 
make the mistake to give others gold, when they pay 
us back in copper. 
Scfvant {opens the door).- The king .sends word not to 

get out of patience to wait. {Exiiy) 
Karl H. — Now I should just like to know what we are 

here waiting for. 
'litus. — Lord knows what is brewing in the king's head. 
Things are very surprising, that's what the premier 
found out, and yon know the king has a daughter. 
Karl H- — The king has a daughter, yes; but let us get 
our $700,000, COO first, then \vc can .speculate on 
such things. 
Titus. — And you know she is the only natural heir and 
will succeed her father on the throne. It seems to 
me I can read the future, Karl; you may hit it. 
Karl H. — Then, what do you read? What do you see? 
litus. — I see this: When you shall have furnished the 
War -Loan of $425,000,000 you will cause universal 
admiration; being single, and not married, the king 
will take an interest in you as regards your future 
wife; he may favor a union, and give vou his daugh- 
ter in marriage. Presuming that this shall be the 
case, we can further presume that when his daugh- 
ter, your supposed future wife, shall succeed to the 
throne, she will abdicate in favor of her husband, 
and you will be proclaimed king. Through his 
spies the king knows by this time that you are 
single yet and not married. And I think there is 
something brewing in the king's mind that will 
justify my prediction. 
Aa;^/ ^.--Heavens! Is there no limit to my fortune? 
It is too much to swallow it all at once. 



82 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL UANNO. 

Titus. — Oh, it may take years yet before all this wil 
happen. But the trouble just now is you haven' 
seen the king's daughter to know how she will 
please you and you don't know when you will see 
her. Of course, if she isn't anything that will make 
you happy you would want neither her nor her 
throne. 

Karl H. — Who tells you all these thing's? A wonder- 
ful predictor, so you are. But your predictions 
have always come true by unusual methods, and 
such things may happen again. And if ever I 
should get to be king, be sure, you shall be my 
premier. Of course I know nothing yet of the 
king's daughter, whether she will suit me or I 
her. And worst of all, her Royal Highness can- 
not be approached by men without a title. Can't 
you think of a scheme to manage this? 

Titus. — You already have a title. You are the "Child 
of Destiny. All other titles are of no avail to 
you. 

Karl H' — And that will do me. ( The door is opened 
by a servant). 

Servant. — The king" sends word not to get out of pa- 
tience to wait. 

Titus. — Well, what are we kept here waiting for? 

Servant. — Don't ask me. {Exit). 

Karl j^. — Confound such business as that is. How 
independent and curt. I don't think they are 
much struck on our looks here in the capital. 
But there is one thing, Titus, we can well afford 
to be independent too — you know. 

Titus. — I know, I know. Weight against weight to 
keep the balance of the scales. Just wait till we 
get the 35,000,000 ounces of gold, nothing- will 
balance us. Don't you think that will make us 



THE DRAMA OF DE9TINY-KARL HANNO, 88 

fc<;l a little dig-oified, too, then? You know what 
I mean. 

Karl U. — Yes, I know what you mean, but I will tell 
you after while; not now. You know things are 
surprising- and something- must turn up pretty 
soon that will lift the veil of mysterious doubts 
as regatds the king's daughter; if not I shall call 
the whole affair a royal conundrum and be done 
with it. 

1 itus. — O, I wouldn't be quite so fast as that. I 
would give things a little time for development 
and not set my sail until I know from what direc- 
tion the wind blows. Pick your roses after they 
are budded out, not before. 

Karl H. — And he has something to communicate to 
us yet, the king" said, as though he would not dare 
tell. In my estimation this must be either some- 
things very g-ood or something very bad. 

Tittis.. — No, I don't think it is that, for that would be 
beneath the dignity of the king-. But whatever 
the purpose is I think it is something that entered 
the king-'s mind during the last moment of our 
business transaction, and therefore it can neither 
be a scheme nor anything so very important; it is 
perhaps something- only of an incidental nature 
that he wants to bring in yet in the matter of the 
expedition, about which he is now having a con- 
sultation with his advisers. He may consider it 
a risky thing to send out an expedition so far 
away incurring enormous expenses. 
Karl H. — Ah! then it is surely this: The king is in 
doubt about our having discovered such an amount 
of gold in a chasm, and he thinks that the whole 
scheme is not genuine, and if that is the case we 
might get into a muss where we would like to be 



84 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNU. 

out of. It was a good thing that we kept our 
mouths shut about spirits having had a hand in it. 

Titus. — You bet your life tliat was a good thing- For 
such things stand no show when it comes right 
down to bnsitiess. f?ut what's the difference.'' 
Everybody knows, or ought to know his own busi 
ness and if you are sure and positive that on such 
and such a day the dragons will bring up said 
amount of gold out of the abyss, what's the dif- 
ference how you got in possession of this knowledge? 
Well, yes we shall see. 

Karl H. — Hum! Hum! I consider it an insult to ques- 
tion the truth. Whether the dragons will bring up the 
gold on the day stated, is a matter of privacy purely 
resting with us, and is nobody's business. But I 
would like to know what the king keeps us here 
waiting for. ( The door oi>ens. ) 

Servant. — The king sends word not to get uneasy, but 
have patience to wait. 

Karl H . — You tell your king the measure of patience i.s 
just about exhausted. 

Servant.— ''Y^<,V' [Exit.) 

Karl //. — He doesn't even show respect. I am sure he 
is acting under instructions. He wouldn't be al- 
lowed to do that. Hum! Hum! 

liius. — Well this is our first experience at the royal 
court and it has begun with a riddle. But I am get- 
ting more interested in the game now than at first; 
let us follow it up and see how it will turn out. I 
am sure the king must have a purpose in view what- 
ever it is. I am prepared for a surprise. 

Karl H. — Presume we do, but that will keep us in ig- 
norance of not knowing what is going on, and as 
business men we cannot afford to do that. Precious 
monients are wasted when we have none to spare. 



THE DBAMA OF DESTINY -KABL HANNO. 85 

Besides that we should know what we are here 
waiting for so as to be prepared for what is to come. 
Things are surprising, but surprises are not always 
pleasant, especiallv in times like these. Remem- 
ber that ! 

litus.- And lest you forget, I say it again: I am more 
interested in this game now than at first. A sur- 
prise ! Remember. 

Karl //. — Well then I hope it will not be what was 
guessed at, namely: The expedition. For; after 
having gone to so much trouble, and after having 
the thing so far along I do hate to see our scheme 
here in this capital go to collapse. Do you under- 
stand why I am getting out of patience? {Door 
op 671 s. ) 

Servant. — The king sends word when the measure of 
patience is exhausted, to fill -it again and not to get 
out of patience to wait. 

Karl H. — You tell your king there will soon be two pa- 
tients here. 

Servant. — "Hum yea!^" {Exit.) 

litus. — Now \ got it: That's the clown; yes, that's the 
clown of the court, and I think the king is sending 
him to prepare us for something funny and we 
need not be a bit uneasy about the expedition affair. 
I have heard before that at times our king is just as 
funny as he can be, I mean, full of jokes and gayety 
enough to amuse anybody. And as for company, he 
is just fine. 

Karl H. — Why, he didn't look to be that way. 

litus. — No, not out in public. As a sovereign he has to 
maintain a high degree of dignity. You know that. 

Karl H- — This and many things more, are notwhat I am 
presently concerned in. For me to accomplish suc- 
cess is to be wide awake to secure victory. There 



86 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KAEL HANNO. 

was a time when my capability did avail me nothing 
as destiny was set against me; but now, after hav- 
ing become the Child of Destiny, I am the "Man in 
the Harness". Straighforward to my purpose is 
henceforth the policy of mine. No lingering here, 
no hands in pockets; it is now the Man of the Hour 
who enters upon the scene. The 35,000,000 ounces 
of gold must first be secured before anything else 
can be thought of, and I reject and despise any 
speculation made as regards my future wife, or a 
throne, or what is brewing in the king's mind; all 
that talk is not worth the breath required for its ut- 
terance. But let me be in control of $600,000,000, 
kings and sovereigns shall feel my power and do 
me homage. Even this is the Promise of Destiny. 
Confound the business, anyhow. What are we here 
waiting for? I am getting sick and tired- {Door 
openS' ) 

Servant. — The king sends word whenever you get sick 
and tired, he will send you the doctor, but just have 
a little more patience to wait. He will be fatherly 
to you. 

Karl H. — You tell your king, the measure of patience is 
exhausted, and we are out of patience. 

Servant. — Yes, your honor. He will be fatherly to you. 
Just have patience. {Exit.) 

Karl H. — Now what do you make of that? Confounded 
wreckerty, crackerty, Mephistopheles ; I will give 
him just five minutes yet and pull out of here. 
What do you say? 

Titus. — Something has got to be done, for these raa- 
noeuverings of the king are coming in so thick on us 
that I can't explain them away any more. Still I 
am eager to see the curiosity of the day, and 1 would 
hate to throw up the game now, for we may never 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL PANNO. 8^ 

be able to remedy the mistake. You know it's the 
king. 

Karl H. — And he will be fatherlj' to us. How silly! 

1 itiis — O, well, that's a king-'s style, nothing- is meant 
by it. Karl, remember: Not so very long- ag^o 
you would have been glad, and you would have 
considered it a high honor to be a waiter on the 
king, and although things have changed so 
mightily, you can nevertheless be independent 
from others. Remember that. 

Karl H. — But remember: I am the Child of Destiny, 
and I have nothing to depend upon but the prom- 
ise communicated to me that solemn night in that 
farm house by the grand display of a number of 
visions, that the time is at hand when I shall be 
blessed, not only with a fortune, but with all that 
in which I shall see all of my wishes answered. 
This, and the laws given me by which to abide, I 
shall never forget nor lose sight of no matter how 
discouraging things may look in the future, and 
there is where I have invested my patience. Con- 
founded; let us pull out. (Door opens). 

Se7-vant. — May your high honors be prepared for a 
Reception Party -Thank you. {Exit). 
{Enter — Four gentlemen ajtd three young ladies by a 
prelude of nt usic ) . 

Reception Praty. — To your highest honor, Karl Hanno 
and Titus: Under a royal order we are sent to 
accompany you to the royal palace, to dine with 
the royal family at a Reception Dinner given by 
the king in your honor. ( They all go). 



SECTION 4. 

(Scene — The scene is the same as in the previous section— in 
the interior of the parliament building. The dignitaries of the 
court, and oj the cabinet, the principal officers of the state, and a 
jam of public audience, all are assembled in the parliament hall 
and are presided over by the premier who is seated immediately 
before the throne. The pretnier has hardly called the assembly 
to order, when soon after deafening cheers and the thunder of a 
thousand cannons annotmcing the arrival of the expedition. One 
thousand wagons loaded with pure, solid gold ready for use, equal 
to $r] GO, 000,000, is under control of Karl Hanno and Titus, out of 
which Karl Hanno will now furnish the War-Loan of $4^5,- 
000,000.) 

Premier — The assembly is called to order. Fellow 
Citizens: As is generally believed the expedition 
is approaching-, and its arrival is hourly expected. 
This morning a herald arrived here stating that 
he left the expedition yesterday morning; that all 
went well and that they were but 60 miles away 
from here. This is good news. At the same 
time a message came in from the front stating 
that the enemy were repulsed and dislodged from 
his strong position. 

— Also that a naval engagement had occurred during 
which two of the enemy's vessels were captured. 
This is good to start on. But our further success 
depends as much upon our means as upon our 
brave soldiers and able generals {deafening cheers 
and canno7is^ roar) . Citizens! That means the ar- 
rival of the expedition: Let him come! He, the 
furnisher of the War-Loan. We cannot do without 
money. Let him come, he that shall furnish the 
means to further the national cause to carry on the 
war and force the victory. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 89 

{Karl Hanno and Titus enter. They are met with ^reat 
cheers. ) 

Premier — The king welcomes you, ye men of the nation, 
Karl Hanno and Titus, and let it he known that your 
honor, Karl Hanno, shall be highly rewarded by 
the nation at every opportunity for the oreat service 
rendered to the country without a precedent in the 
form of the War- Loan. Your honor may now jho- 
ceed to foreclose the transartion. {('/urrs.) 

Karl H . — His Kxcellcncy, premier, may hereby lake 
notice that Karl Hanno and Titus, have safely re- 
turned from the expedition ; having also effected the 
transportation of the 35,U00,(JU0 ounces of pure, 
solid gold ready for use, amounting to i?^ 700, 000, 000, 
of which 21,250,000 ounces of gold, $425,000,000 
is hereby delivered over into the hands of the gov- 
ernment as a War-Loan \ 13,750,000 ounces, the 
" remainder of the 35,000,000 ounces of gold, are 
stored away in the government vaults for safe- 
keeping and are the treasures of Karl Hanno and 
Titus, of which 5,000,000 ounces of gold is the 
share of the latter. Both have full control of their 
treasures while in said storage as is stipulated iu 
the Articles of Agreement. His Excellency is re- 
quested to ratify papers showing that the War- Loan 
has been furnished. 

( The papers are duty ratified and delivered to Karl 
I Ion HO.) 

^^emur.— The transaction of the War- Loan is declared 
as finally settled. 

Premier to Karl Hanno (aside). — The king has sent me a 
note requesting me to tell you that his Majesty wishes 
you not to leave the Capital yet as his Majest}' wishes 
to communicate to you a matter of some private rlVair. 
You and your friend Titus may K*' into the Waiting 
Parlor to await the wishes of the king. 



90 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY- KARL HANNO. 

{All leave. Karl Hanno and Titus repair to the Wait- 
ing Parlor to await the wishes of the king.) 

Karl H. — Now I have found relief. And now we can 
talk on the subject of my future wife, as now I am 
in control of a fortune such as was never witnessed 
or enjoyed by any mortal. 

Titus. — Karl: Ha! Ha! It seems we can't get rid of 
the king any more. It gives me lots of thinking. 
Events develope rapidly, and as I have said before 
starting out on the expedition I say it yet, that there 
is something brooding in the king's mind that might 
hatch a new chicken to your fortune. The king is 
taking an interest in you favoring the plan of a 
union and will give you his daughter in marriage- 
Now you'll see. She of course will succeed her 
father on the throne, and mark ! before you know it, 
she will abdicate in favor of her husband, and you 
will be proclaimed "King of the Hobbies". Of 
course all this is the consequence of the War- Loan. 
Since you have done so great a service for the coun- 
try in the hour of need the king, no doubt, considers 
it right and proper lor you to be connected with the 
highest interests of the king, and the country as 
well. This is only a logical consequence. Laugh, 
if you please; the chicken is hatching all the same. 

Karl H. — Ha! Ha! If there is a new chicken hatching 
to my fortune, then, what will you call it when the 
chicken is growing into a big hen? Kxplain ! 

'litus. — I have already explained it. Presumption is that 
you will marry the king's daughter, the successor 
on the throne, this I call the New Chicken to your 
fortune ; she will abdicate her throne in favor of 
^ her husband and you will be proclaimed King of the 
Hobbies, and that I call the Grown Hen. Laugh 
again, if you please. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 9 

KarlH. — Ha! Ha! Ha! I think you are reaching too 
far over the railing, Titus; you might go overboard. 
Don't you know that our good old king is but seven 
years older than I am, and that he might outlive 
me; and don't you know that I am nearly twice as 
old as is the king's daughter? These things do not 
compare well. 

litus. — Do not compare well, no! and it will be all the 
more wonderful when it will happen- In the first 
case, heaven can change its face in one day; and in 
the second case, remember that you are the Child of 
Destiny and you are destined to see wonderful 
things- 

Karl H. — Yes! you are a most wonderful predictor and 
it may all happen, but as I have said before, your 
predictions have come true by methods and ways 
different from what was supposed. One is tickled 
to see how enthusiastic and sincere you seem to 
be in your own fancy and I cannot see really what 
good grounds you have to make good your predic- 
tions. 

litus- — Ah! you remember well the day before we started 
out on the expedition how the king kept us waiting 
for something that bothered our heads to guess on, 
and to our sweetest surprise — ''a Royal Reception" 
— to dine with the royal family and in the very 
presence of the king's daughter was the* outcome of 
that play. What reasor. had the king for this? 

KarlH. — Perhaps it was all smoke and nothing in it. 
But what reason did he have, and how do you ex- 
plain it? 

7 itus- - -It is only a logical consequence. Facts will tell, 
not smoke. Having received a royal invitation to 
dine with the royal family and in presence of the 
princess, the heiress to the throne, the king is too 



92 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

well balanced in mind not to know how all that 
would be interpreted. -Vnd what under the sun, 
why was that done in presence of the princess? 

Karl H- — O, I presume they were all delighted over to 
see the greatest financiers in the world. That, that, 
that's it! 

Titus. — Ha! Ha! I don't a^rce; logically it is different: 
Women do not care so much for great finaiTciers, 
and a young lady of her royal type all the fess. But 
I think this: The king had already contemi)lated a 
scheme, and of course the king wanted to give his 
daughter a chance to see whether she would find in 
you her suitor, and this chance was sought in the 
Royal Reception. This also gave you a chance of 
the same kind, as you would want to be suited like- 
wise. It now followed that in you she found her 
suitor, and during the time of our expedition plans 
were made to effect a union after our return, and 
after the War-Loan was furnished, the king has re- 
quested you not to leave the capital yet but to await 
his wishes in a matter of a private affair. That's 
I>lHin enough. And now the chicken is hatching. 
It's so! It's so! It is so! 

Karl H . — Ha! Ha! And she was so pretty, too. So 
sweet, so graceful, so agreeable, so modest and so 
lovely that, wherever she was, there seemed to be 
sunshine. It must be amusing to see how great 
men, after so many deeds of heroism, can give way 
to love and become so little. 

7 itus. — So then you mean to say that you love her, do 
}ou not? 

Karl H. — O well, yes; and if the whole scheme should 
dissolve in smoke I wish that it had never hap- 
pened. 

7 itus. — Well, well; it didn't get you that bad, dit it? 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 93 

Karl H. — Well it should not, but if it did it shall never 
he found out. Oh, there- would he no harm in it, 
provided we have guessed the king's plan. All the 
world would call us champion detectives, but I am 
afraid t)f what is said, "counting the chickens be- 
fore they are hatched out." 

Titus. — Ha! Ha! Ha! a fine farce: Wouldn't they rub 
their hands over it if such a thing would happen 
to the greatest financiers in the world -^ But never 
mind, if we really do count the chickens before they 
are hatched out, we can say this nuuh ; at any rate 
they are hatching. 

harl H . — Good enough, and I wish Ihc king woujil 
hurry on with his wishes- I am prepared to see 
the Logical conset|uence come true as raj>idly as 
possible according to your conclusion. I am getting 
tired of waiting, 

7 Uhs. — And I on my part, I do expect nothing else than 
to see the king's premier come in and lay the king's 
plan before you as regards a union with his daugh- 
ter, Mouriue H., the heiress to the throne. Remem- 
ber the time when the king kept us waiting here 
before and I g.iessed on the king's plan precisely 
the same as I do now and for some reason dropped 
the idea of such being the king's plan, and don't 
you know I was right about it? Why should I not 
be right about it this time? Remember the Royal 
Reception. It is the keynote to the whole song. 

/\(i>i //. — (), I believe it myself now, and the king- 
has been very candid to us and has treated us in 
such a way that Ins plans could not be mistaken 
under any ordinary observation. Only I think 
this:" The g^ood thing is coming too easy, (xood 
things do not come so easy. 

7;V?<!5. -What do you care? and what difference does 



94 THE DRAMA OF DESTINI-KARL HANNO. 

that make? All the better for you and us both. 
Now when the premier shall step in and lay the 
king's plan before you as reg^ards giving- you his 
daughter in marriage who will succeed him on 
the throne, you will accept the proposition and the 
thing will soon be over with. You will marry 
the king's daughter right off and as soon as 
something happens to the king and he dies, your 
wife will ascend the throne and as I think, she 
will abdicate soon after in your favor, and you 
will be proclaimed king of the Hobbies. Don't 
you see? 

{Aside.). — Well, now comes the premier. Be careful 
what you say, Karll 

Premier {Enters). — Gentlemen ! 

Karl H. — Yes your honor! 

Premier. — I am charged by his Majesty to communi- 
cate to your honor, Karl Hanno, his royal wishes 
as regards a matter of a private affajr. 

Karl Hanno {Delighted) .—Yqs your honor. Some- 
thing good? 

Premier. — Good for the king. — It has been the wishes 
of the king that his royal daughter, Mourine II, 
heiress to the throne, should be given in marriage 
to the Prince-of Grain, the Hobby Treasurer, the 
ceremonies of the wedding to take place on the 
17th day of this month, June. {Karl looks setious, 
so does Titus.) Now as regards the marriage of 
the Prince of Grain to Mourine IT, daughter of the 
king, there is one obstacle in the way of it, which, 
if not removed, may prove serious to the Prince 
of Grain. The matter stands thus: The Prince 
of Grain had the bad fortune to become the presi- 
dent of a vast undertaking of a new mining en- 
terprise. He had invested all the money that he 



THE DRAMA OK DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 96 

had himself in addition to heavy loans besides, 
amounting- to in all $24,000,000 and was partly 
secured by the mines themselves. BtJt after the 
mines had been fairly worked they inclined to ex- 
haustion and the mining stock fell to a minimum, 
consequently, the money so invested in the enter- 
prise became almost a total loss to the investors 
and especially so to the Prince of Grain. This 
renders the condition of the Prince of Grain very 
uncomfortable, as he is now involved in debts 
that he is never able to pay, while his creditors 
rush in on him and furiously demand their money. 
His majesty king is in sympathy with the prince 
because of his misfortune, and because of the con- 
templated marriage of the prince and his royal 
daughter. The king, in order to avoid public scan- 
dals, wishes to have this matter settled as quietly 
and as speedily as possible. His Majesty there- 
fore wishes the financial assistance of your honor 
in the form of furnishing a loan to the king- to 
the amount of $24,000,000 to set straight his in- 
tended son-in-law. Shall the wishes of the king 
have compliance? 

Kail H. — Very obediently shall the wishes of the 
king be complied with and have the financial as- 
sistance ol my honor in the form of furnishing 
his Majesty a loan of $24,000,000; rate of interest 
2 per cent; secured by government bonds. 

Premier. — Very graciously will his Majesty accept the 
offer of your honor, but as to the security of gov- 
ernment bonds, I have no authority to effect a 
loan until I shall have consulted the king, and 
you friends may have the honor to patiently wait 
here yet a few moments and amuse yourselves as 
best you may until I shall return with an answer 
from the king-. Adieu! {Exit.) 



96 THE DKAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

{Karl and Titus laughing.) 

Titus. — Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Tlit-rc now we have it 
hig-li and low. 

Karl //.—Ha? Ha! Ha! H;i! Ila! J.augli it off, now, 
it's tbc best wc can do. Ha! Ha! Ha! "To set 
straig:Vit his intended son-in-law." Don't that 
beat you? Things arc suri)rising-. Hutti! Hum! 
Hum! 

Titus. — Things are surprising-; never as is expected. 
Ha! Ha! Ha! 

l\<nJ U. — Didn't I tell you how great men can g-ive 
way to love and l)econic so little? It is simply 
amusing-. 

Titus. — SucVi is life. 

Karl H. — Such is love. 

Titus. — Then you still love her? 

Karl H. — Why, more than ever, and I wouldn't know 
it had it not been now for the reverse of the thing-. 
Now that she is lost to me, I do really find out 
how much I love her. But why in Sam's con- 
formity could not I have been spared this unnec- 
essary trouble? Why did we act so silly over the 
affair and make fools of ourselves? Confound the 
Koyal Reception, the cause of all evil. Well, it's 
a g-ood thing- nobody will ever know it. H will 
stay with us. Crackerty; wreckerty; Mcphisto- 
pheles. 

'I itus. — It will stay with us. But wc were too fast. 

Karl II. — Yes, and too silly. We have made fools of 
ourselves. 

Tilns. — Oh, yes, men will g-et silly sometimes, too 
and make fools of themselves. But who under 
the sun would have thoug-ht differently, and who 
would not have made a case out of it such as -we 
did? Surely this is stag-g-ering- all log-ic, and is 
even stag-gering- my senses. 



THE DRAMA OF DEST1NT-K4RL HANNO. 97 

Karl H. — But such a thing- is not new; it is as old as 
the existence of men and women, and is occurring 
as frequently as the days come along. The 
young man, meeting with a young lady striking 
his fancy, is inclined to make much out of little: 
Every motion, every act, every wink of her eye, 
and every favorable word coming forth from the 
admired beauty, is taken as an inducement 
especially meant for him. In the next moment 
he discovers that he was mistaken, and also that 
he was making a fool of himself. But as I say: 
Such a thing is not new, for such is life, and such 
is love. 

Titus. — But I repeat the fact. Wouldn't they rub 
their hands over it if they would find out how the 
greatest financiers in the world made fools of 
themselves over a young woman? 

Karl H. — Wouldn't they, though? But if they would 
rub their hands over us, at any rate, we should 
have as much reason to rub our hands over them 
as they would have over us. Just think: The 
king was obliged to do me homage and ask me 
for my financial assistance "to set straight his 
intended son-in-law" in the face of his plight. 
That won't be all yet: I may yet levy hard terms 
on the king before furnishing the loan and we 
may have the satisfaction of rubbing our hands 
over a pretty royal humiliation long after they get 
through with us. I just tell you our mighty 
wealth has placed us in a wonderfully good posi- 
tion. 

Titus. — Hasn't it, though? And we will just be keen 
enough to drive everything to the wall. We've 
got them! Yes, we've got them. Only one thing 
that I begrudge: We haven't got them where we 



98 THE DBAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 

want them to be, but that was not our fault, as 
we cannot command the hand of destiny: For you 
will not g"et the one you love, and my prediction, 
that you would be king, has g-one to the wall. 
Hum ! 

Karl //.—What's the difference? For I shall see at 
least One moment in life in which I shall see all 
of my wishes answered. And I do not for One 
moment lament the disappointment, I am already 
king: I am King of Finances. Kings and sov- 
ereigns do me homage and bow to the power of 
my wealth such as was never before witnessed by 
any mortal. Why, just think! I control $600, - 
000,000, enough to buy a kingdom of ray own; and 
what need have I to lament over a thing that did 
not go to suit me? After all, mind you. thrre are 
thirteen days yet before the marriage of Mourine 
II. and the Prince of Grain will take place, and 
many leaves mciy turn over yet. Everything comes 
to him who waits, and I am the Child of Destiny. 
Now am I on the right track again. Can you see? 

Titus. — On the right track again; Karl Hanno, yes! 
You are indeed the Child of Destiny. You are 
guided by things other than those of the Lower 
Order, and your conviction is truly not that of an 
earthly agency. Were I but fortunate with these 
heavenly things in trusting to the Blessing of All 
Good, would not I be also happy? 

Kari, B. — And you shall be happy as even I shall be, 
for such is the theme of my wishes and it is in- 
cluded in the Promise of Destiny that I shall see. 
at least One moment in life in which I shall see 
all of my wishes answered and no matter which 
way things may go, or how discouraging the mo- 
ments may be, all is under the sway of Destiny, 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KABL HANNO. W 

which cannot be overruled by circumstances of 
the Lower Order. And as for us, we are the Ac- 
tors on the Stagfe of Life. {Premier enters,) 

Premier- — Gentlemen I 

Karl Fl. — Yes, your Honor? 

Premier. — In reply to the conditions made by your 
honor, Karl Hanno, reg-ards the loan, the king 
graciously requests you to come to his royal pri- 
vate chamber to have an understanding" about 
terms and conditions regards the loan. 

{fCatl Hanno leaves Titus a>id the premier in the 
IVaiting Room.) 

Premier. — Confound the business. I am just worried to 
death about all affairs. I wish the Prince of Grain 
would manage his own business. 

Titus. — So then we shall have a royal wedding pretty 
soon, shall we not, your Honor? 

Premier. — That's right, sir! And I do not see why such 
must take place just now, while the country is at 
war. Th'^re must be something pressing in the mat- 
ter, or else I do not understand it — 

7itus. — Pressing? O, yes! Money matters are always 
pressing. How is his Majesty fixed on government 
bonds'' 

Premier. — How fixed? The king cannot give govern- 
ment bonds to secure the loan unless he is scheming 
on something. And that, I think, is bis object in 
having a secret understanding with Karl Hanno. I 
understand Karl Hanno is single yet? 

litus- — Karl Hanno is single yet- And what of it? 

Premier. — Nothing at all. But is it not astonishing how 
a man got possession of such mighty fortune? And 
so young yet, too. 

litus. — O, not so young. How old do > ou think.'' 

Premier. — O, perhaps twenty -eight or thirty- Princess 

Lore. 



100 THE DRAMA OP DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Mourine II. at the Royal Reception guessed him to 
be about twenty -four or twenty -five, as she is 
twenty -four herself, 

TituS' — She must have admired him? 

Ptemier. — Perhaps she did. But I am afraid the king 
will get his hands tied up, for Karl Hanno is full of 
schemes to secure good bargains and to make acute 
terms. 

Titus. — Not at all. He is too good for that, even had 
he the chance to do it. But I think if he stays much 
longer in this capital he will get rid of all his treas- 
ures. And then what? 

Premier. — And then we shall all be his debtors. But 
excuse me; I am called off again. I'm worried to 
death, confound it. {Exit. Karl Hanno enters ) 

Karl H. — I've done it now — 

Titus. — What did you do? 

Karl II.— I tied up the king. 

7'//7/5.— What! tied him up by that loan? 

Karl iT^.— That's right. 

Titus. — That's what the premier was afraid about, but I 
let on you were not sharp enough to do that. You 
know we learnt something: To secure a good point 
we must appear innocent, so as to avoid suspicion 
of being sharpers. You know — Hanno! 

Karl H. — And what about the premier? 

Titus. — He is worried to death. 

Karl H. — Nothing to us. What did he say? 

Titus. — Incidentally he said that Mourine II. at the 
Royal Reception guessed your age twenty -four 
years, the same as her age. That's sweet, isn't it? 

Ki"! H — Is it possible ! 

Titus — Yes. But he was careful enough not to speak 
on that subject. 

Karl H — "All the samey." But what about the Prince 
of Grain? 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 101 

Titus. — Prince of Grain? There must be something 
pressing in the matter, the premier thought, or else 
he didn't understand it- But what about youland 
the king? 

Karl H. — What about me and the king? We have come 
to a secret understanding and it developed into 
this — {Premier enters-) 

Premier. — Gentlemen ! 

Karl H. — Yes> your Honor! 

Premier. — 1 am now authorized by his Majesty to effect 
the loan of $24,000,000 furnished by your honor, 
Karl Hanno, upon conditions and terms as afore- 
said, to-wit: Rate of interest, 2 percent; secured 
by government bonds ; term of expiration, payable 
on or before the close of the present war. Papers 
are ready for ratification. 
{Karl Hanno signs the papers and the deal is closed ) 

Premier. — Gentlemen, you are further requested to re- 
main here a moment or two, to await a message from 
the king. Adieu! {Exit.) 

Karl H. — Well, if this is not intended to beat Mephisto- 
pheles, I give it up. 

Titus. — Be still! This is our game. What's the differ- 
ence? We can wait; for us to strike luck, is to 
wait and remain here in this capital for awhile yet. 
I believe this is a great game, and we must play it 
out let it cost what it will. We'll get the best of 
them; now you'll see- 

Karl H. — It seems there is no end to the king's plan. 
Perhaps you can see farther than I can, or — 

Titus- — I think there is something crooked yet to be 
discovered. What business has the king to enter 
upon a secret understanding in the matter of the 
loan? If the king is not scheming on us, I claim 



102 ' THE DKAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

the chickens are still hatching. What do you think 
about it? 

Karl H. — I don't think so. I think there is nothing 
more left to scheme on us, or at least not on me; 
for after thirteen days the king's daughter will be 
given in marriage to the Prince of Grain and that 
will be the end of it, and I consider it just foolish 
to bother my head about that any more- And what 
is there left to scheme on? 

litus. — Nothing at all — nothing that I can see. All 

there is left for us is that heaven can change its face 

in one day. Remember that! But what about the 

secret understanding between you and the king? 

Karl H. {aside) — I will tell you after while. {Messenger 

enters.) 

Messenger, — Gentlemen of high honor: {Karl and litus 
bow.) May you hereby take notice, Karl Hanno 
and Titus, that on the 17th day of this mo'nth will 
be celebrated the Royol Wedding between the 
daughter of the king, Mourine II., and the Prince 
of Grain, and according to the wishes of his Majesty 
you gentlemen are hereby cordially invited to attend 
the celebration of this Royal Wedding. In addition 
to this, you gentlemen are further requested to re- 
main here yet a moment or so to await tokens of 
High Honors which will be bestowed upon you, 
Karl Hanno, by the king himself, who will be here 
escorted by his Royal Family. Remember: just a 
moment! {Exit.) 

Karl H. — Just a moment, rembemberl This will leave 
us no time to talk on a subject. Of course, these 
moments are generally very long. 

Titus. — And the whole royal family, too; and Mou- 
rine II., too — 

Karl H. — Yes, and perhaps the Prince of Grain, too, as 
he now belongs to the royal family — 



THE DBAMA OF DESTINI-KARL HANNO. IRI 

Titus. — Yes! And then the invitation to the royal 
wedding. 

Karl H. — And yes, then the invitation to the wedding 
of the one I love. How offensive that will be to my 
feeling's! 

Titus. — And yes, if you can read this "Mene Tekel" 
of love you had better go to Babylon. 
{Enter — The king; the queen; the kirg's daughter, Mau- 
rine II., heiress to the throne; Prince of Grain, her in- 
tended husband; the Court of Honor, constituting four 
young ladies, and Jive gentletnen, including the premier. 
All performance assume the style of etiquette that is cus- 
tomary at the consti'utional courts of Europe. ) 

King. — Gentlemen, Karl Hanno and Titus: 

— Your king and sovereign at this moment is gra- 
ciously disposed to you, and I am moved to express 
personally to you my deep gratitude. With regard 
to your patriotic devotion to your king and sovereign 
and to the country as well, having reference of 
course to your having furnished the War- Loan, I 
your king and sovereign, do hereby confer upon 
you, Karl Hanno, the title of "Karl Hanno, Prince 
of Finances." Further: I, your king and sovereign, 
do hereby call you into the membership of the 
"King's Privy Counsel," and also into the member- 
ship of the "Court of Honor." 

— You have now succeeded to the highest rank and 
honors in the mighty kingdom of the Hobbies, as 
these honors and the title give you access to all 
political ranks, power, and the free p.ccess to the 
royal court, and places you among the fiist men of 
the kingdom. 

Karl H. — His Majesty, my king and sovereign : 

—I, Karl Hanno, do hereby fully acknowledge the 
gracious disposition of his Majesty toward me; and 



104 THE DEAMA OF DESTINT-KAEL HANNO. 

I do hereby very obediently accept the title, and the 
membership in the "King's Privy Counsel,'' and in 
that of the "Court of Honor," but, owing to the un- 
bounded friendship existing between me and Titus, 
guaranteed and confirmed by mutual pledges, and 
lived up to by our faith in the past, as we still in- 
tend to do in the future, I cannot for one moment 
enjoy this high rank with any degree of content 
or satisfaction, if by this manner of act I shall so 
divorce myself from my friend, who is worth every- 
thing to me. I therefore present my sincere wishes 
to his Majesty either to be relieved of these high 
honors, or to extend same title, honors and privileges 
to Titus, as in our combined efforts in life we can- 
not be separated. Shall my wishes find approval? 
Kin^. — They shall: For an act of this kind, since 
rather than to be guilty of a breach of faith you are 
ready to sacrifice title, high honors and privileges, 
commands m> royal respect, and I can only see in 
this your act a proof of your honesty to be true to 
your pledges. 

— Titus, in unbounded friendship to Karl Hanno, 
I, your king and sovereign, do hereby extend same 
title, honor and privileges bestowed upon Karl 
Hanno to you. In token of this receive my hand! 
{Titus and Karl Hanno shake hands with the king, 
whereupon all others leave, but the king, the queen, 
Maurine II., the Prince of Grain, Karl Hanno and 
Titus remain.) 

King. — Gentlemen: {Concernim^ Karl Hanno and 
Titus. ) 

— Our little assembly here is now unofl&cial, and 
therefore is strictly private. All restrictions with 
regard to royal etiquette which is customary at the 
royal court, and burdensome, too, in free society. 



THE DBAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 105 

are now suspended, and before you gentlemen are 
ready to leave this national capital and return to 
your homes let us heartily indulge in the free con- 
versation marked with the essentials of closer 
society. You know kings are the same as other 
men, and why should they not feel as other men 
and do as other men? I do appreciate a free mo- 
ment like this to give the lofty mind free exercise, 
and do not despise sometimes to be jolly. Of 
course, we hope that this gathering here will not be 
the last; on the contrary, we hope to see all of your 
friends and relatives soon resicing with us here in 
this capital. In closer society they call me "Uncle 
Billy." 

Karl H. — Thank you! thank you! Uncle Billy: We 
are familiar with that name, and you are just the 
man that we are looking for. Uncle Billy, do you 
smoke? 

Uncle Billy {king). — Certainly not when I run out of — 

Titus. — Uncle Billy, have a cigar! 

Uncle Bili}' . — Thank you! Thank you that you have 
one to spare. Do you drink wine and whisky? 

Karl H. and Titus. — Certainly not — only when it is the 
very strongest. {Laughter. The steward enters 
with wine and other driyiks and they put up in 
toasts- ) 

Uncle Billy. — Gentlemen — {Titus.) Not Gentle- 
men; In closer society they call me "T-boy'' — 
{Karl Hanno.) And me they call ''Honey-boy." 

Uncle Billy. — Well, boys, here is good luck! {Drinks. ) 

Karl H. and Titus. — Would have no other kind. 
{Shouts.) Hurrah for good luck! Hurrah for 
Uncle Billy! {All drink.) 

Mourine II (aside). — I thought there was some honey 

about Karl Hanno, mother. 
Prince of Grain— What's that? Daisy! — O, nothing! 
nothing^! 



106 THE DEAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Uncle Billy — Bojs! here is my wife; you know her, of 

course. I call her "my petty boss" — {Queen.) 

And him "my Hobby boss." 

Titus to Karl (aside). — Didn't I te'l you the king is jolly? 
*Zi"/«5.--All sorts of thing's: Tee and honey, wine 

and whisky. In the next century we will drink 

beer. 
Queefi.--Ahl Mohamet says in his Koran we must not 

drink beer. 
Uncle Billy.- That's meant only. for common folks., 

They cannot afford it. 

Prince of Grain to Mourine II. {aside) — So you think 
there is some honey about Karl Hanno? 

Prince of Grain. — Mother queen, your daug-hter likes 

honey. 
Titus. — Well, here is the Honey boy {pointing to 

Karl Hanno). 
Prince of Grain. — Here Honey boy, a few days more 

she will be my wife and I shall call her Daisy — 

she likes a common name. 
Karl Hanno. — Thank you gracious ladies; I have met 

you before. 
Prince oj Grain. —And your wife? 
Karl Hanno. — And my wife? Ha! Ha! That's a 

bluff. I will never see the day. 
Prince of Grain. — What! The greatest financier in 

the world should not be able to get a wife? Get 

out! 

Karl Hanno. — Yes or no, or just as you want it: 
Women do not care so much for g-reat financiers. 

Prince of Grain. — Yes or no, or just as you want to 
have it: I think they do, and if not, why is it 
then that my Daisy g-irl here is so much struck 
on vou? 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KAEL HANNO. 10 7 

Daisy Girl {Mouiine IJ.) — I beg", Prince of Grain, I 
beg" your jealousy. 

Karl Hanno. — Now have I arrived at the end of my 
wit and I can say no more. Let the lang-uage of 
silence tell what my tongue is not able to utter — 

i^A private message comes in and is handed to the Prince 
of Grain whereupon he immediately leaves the room ) 

Mourine II. — Did you notice? The Prince looked 
quite serious after reading- the message. 

Queen. — My child, I should think he would have told 
you what it was. 

Mourine. — No, he does not tell me anything. He is 
not like a lover. The Prince, in my estimation, 
has of late manifested ways not satisfactory to 
love. 

Queen. — My child, I presume the many high honors 
bestowed upon Karl Hanno has much to do 
with it. 

Karl Hanno. — And here, my royal friends, if I am 
anything in your estimation, you will pardon me 
in disclosing to you the simple fact that I have 
fallen a victim to Mourine H. Ag"ain you will 
pardon me when stating- to you that the Royal 
Reception given us was cause of much misleading 
speculation with reg-ard to a connection with the 
royal house, but which, after this became clear, I 
consider now as a thing- of the past. And al- 
thoug-h it was misleading, my love disappointed, 
I myself have contributed toward the furtherance of 
the marriag-e of the Prince of Grain in furnishing" 
the loan of $24,000,000 and by so doing" I have re- 
moved the last obstacle out of the way. But as I 
have said I consider them now as thing-s of the 
past, hoping never ag-ain to meet with such dis- 
appointment. {All are moved.) 



108 THE DEAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Uncle Billy. — And you could do all this without be- 
traying' your love? What a deed of heroism. 
But as you have said: They are considered now 
as things of the past, as within a few days my 
daughter will be g-iven in marriag-e to the Prince 
of Grain, plans, arrangements, and everything are 
so well fixed, and everything so complete that by 
no means, and by no ordinary event can the mar- 
riage be interfered with. 

Mouiine II. — The Prince of Grain has chilled my love. 
The high honors bestowed upon KarlHanno have 
made him a jealous lover. I can say no more. 
Let the Language of Silence tell what my tongue 
is not able to utter. 

Uncle Billy. — My daughter, my child: If there were 
any reasons to be found against the Prince of 
Grain, or an}' accusation whatever against the 
performance of his duty, I would, in the capacity 
of king and sovereign, and as your royal father, 
declare the engagement "Null and Void." 
— But as matters stand now to do such a thing 
without any reason to justify it, would be a breach 
of faith against royalty, as well as a breach of 
promise. So the engagement must stand, and 
the marriage cannot be interfered with. My 
daughter, think of your duty, the dignity of roy- 
alty. You like the Prince of Grain, I know. 

Titus. — Heaven can change its face in one moment. 

{Prince of Grain enters. He looks serious and fright- 
ened, but is silent) . 

Mourine II. — What is the matter Prince? You look 

so serious. 
Prince of Grain. — Let the Language of Silence tell 

what my tongue is not able to utter. 

— {Sheriff enters-) 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 109 

Sherif — His majesty king: By the Chief of Mag-is- 
Irate I am authorized so cause the arrest of the 
Prince of Grain wherever found, on the ground of 
his having committed a national offense against 
the state. He, the Prince of Grain, has made 
himself guilty of an embezzlement of $24,000,000 
of national money used up in the New Mining 
Enterise while being the Hobby Treasurer. 
— Prince of Grain, you are under my arrest, and 
commanded to follow me. {Allure astounded). 
(Prince of Cram is taken away by the sheriff '. 
King. — So is the Prince of Grain a criminal before the 
law and the engagement of Mourine H. is hereby 
declared "Null and Void'' for a better choice. 
{Upon this Karl Hanno and Mourine II, rush to mu- 
tual embrace, evidently meaning that they are in love. 
All leave). 



SECTION V. 

[Scene — Karl Hanno and Mourine II., in company with 
themselves, are protnenading the lawns of a beautiful garden sur- 
rounding the royal palace. Among the many beauties there, are 
conspicuous the statues, monuments, arches of triumph, play- 
grotmds fish-ponds, hanging gardens, fixtures of amusements, 
swings, vioving seats fly-wheels, ponoramas of foreign sceneries; 
all is represented itt the most conceivable art of perfection, stak- 
ing the garden appear singularly magnificent. It is richly sup- 
plied with flower-beds, tall everg reens, small watercourses sub- 
jected to fall converging over leaping rocks whose gorges are over- 
bridged by stone arches to accomodate the spectator. Karl Hanno 
and Mourine II. are so disposed to each other that the beholder 
dismisses all doubts as to their sincerity, happiness and devotion to 
each other. Having finished this pleasant exercise in the garden, 
they betake themselves into the Waiting Parlor in the parliament 
building, opposite the royal palace, and take seats side by side on 
one of the many sofas of the fnost costly finish, and while still lejtto 
themselves, their conversation is continued in a manner giving evi- 
dence of two happy lovers.'] 

Karl H. — Now, Mourine: I suppose you begin to feel 
tired, and for a change, let us be seated here on one 
of these sofas and enjoy our first meeting. You 
know the story how a man found his wife, is always 
a pleasant subject to talk on, and now, that we have 
become lovers as one soul we are at liberty to talk 
over things now in the light which, before this event, 
we dared not to do, as all this was hidden in dark- 
ness and mysterious developments. Ah! Mourine, 
I forget that you are Mourine II., the successor on 
the throne of a mighty nation. Vanity has so little 
to do with love that courtesy in its most simple form 
is Home Rule wherever two kindred hearts 
are meeting, and when love becomes a reality, the 
name loses all attributes and I simply call you 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANNO. lU 

Mourine. What time is it now? is it?. O, well, 

we have a few moments yet left to ourselves to finish 
our story before the opening of parliament. 
What can I do for you? 

Mourine II. — Love me and I shall give you my throne, 
as all else but love to me seems vile. I cannot see 
the power dominating my heart so completely, yet I 
know that I love with all my soul. At the Royal Re- 
ception dinner, when 1 first caught sight of you, I 
could not refuse the favorable appeals made by your 
manly conduct to my admiration. But as matters 
then stood, I stopped where I was. But to-day I 
am amazed at the wonderful dispensation of things 
and the changes that have taken place in so short a 
time. And poor old Prince of Grain — Tha! ha! ha! 

Karl H. — Poor old Prince of Grain— I should say! 
He got himself into a moss of which the gods of 
Hercules could not save him. But tell me, Mou. 
rine, what was the real object of the Royal Re- 
ception; was it not to begin an acquaintanceship 
that was to lead to our marriage? 

Mourine II. — No! I am satisfied that it was not, as 
already I was engaged to the Prince of Grain and 
the day fixed for our wedding. But ray royal 
pa pa, no doubt, in consequence of the War-Loan, 
was moved to bestow the highest honors upon 
you in the expression of the Royal Reception. 
That's all. 

Karl H. — Poor old Karl, too; I do say it myself. How 
' blindly mistaken a fellow can be when he has 
fallen victim to a g-irl: "Love is blind," so they 
say, and I could only laugh at it, but now I know 
better. And if such could happen to the greatest 
financier in the world, the lesser fortunate might 
then easily be excused for such innocent foolish- 



112 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

ness. But pardon me, Mourine, for using the 
expression "greatest financier in the world;'' 
nothing- is meant by it, as I consider myself too 
little in your presence to claim to be anything 
more than the Child of Destiny. And poor old 
Prince Grain! ha! ha! I wonder whether he 
was doomed to commit the crime of embezzlement 
of 1^24,000,000 just for the purpose of breaking up 
the engagement? 

Mourine IL — Of course he was, and just think: $24,. 
000,000 was considered a small price in the scale 
of our happiness. Funny it is when great things 
are used to serve a seemingly small purpose. And 
the embezzlement of which the prince thought 
nothing only to serve his own purpose, who can 
tell but what this very act may furnish a link in 
the history of our nation? And how sure he was 
that he could smooth it all up after the loan of 
$24,000,000 was secured. Poor old Prince of 
Grain— Tha! ha! ha! 

Karl H. — Poor old Prince of Grain — ha! ha! ha! O, 
I do not mean to laugh over his misfortune, but 
merely because it just happened to a big-headed 
prince. What do you smile at so mischievously, 
Mourine? I am only a Karl; I am no prince. 

Mourine //.— O, nothing. It is nothing. I am just 
laughing over the farce of the prince: He had 
his fortune told just as smooth and nice as a pic- 
ture and he kept still about it until the day was 
fixed for our wedding when proudly he boasted to 
his friends that everything now between him and 
his Hobby girl was O. K. He boasted that he 
would marry me, and as soon as I should be seated 
on the throne I would abdicate in his favor and 
he would be proclaimed king. And he believed 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 118 

all this because an old reliable fortune teller, an 
old woman, had told him so. Poor old Prince of 
Grain. Wont he now scorn the old woman? 

Karl H- — Wont he thoug-h? And I am sure he paid 
her a g-ood price. For these old fortune tellers, 
little as they know, always know enough to fill 
their own pockets from victims of fortune-believ- 
ers. — But you didn't feel disposed to abdicate in 
favor of the Prince of Grain, did you? 

Mouj'ine II. — Never! For in my estimation a man 
whose mental faculties are devoted to things of 
the superstitious order is certainly not qualified 
to rule over others, and I would regard it as crim- 
inal ever to commit myself to an act of this kind. 
I say, it would be criminal. 

Karl H. — Ah! I see you are indeed Mourine II. A 
Virgin, clad in manly valor; a will, that of "blood 
and iron;" a ruler, that of a worthy sovereig-n. 
Keep your throne, to make happy your people, 
but give me your Love in which I shall see all 
of my wishes answered. {Titus enters). 

lUuS' — The best of my wishes to your uninterrupted 
happiness, your royal hig-hness Mourine II. and 
Karl Hanno. 

— All is surprising. Now after so many things 
have transpired in this most remarkable of all 
modern times the fate of the Prince of Grain may 
surprise you. 

Karl /^.— Why don't you tell? 

litus. — He has been tried, found g-uilty, and con- 
victed to thirty years of imprisonment. 

Karl H.— Tor the embezzlement of $24,000,000 of 
public money? 

7zV7/^.— That's right. 

Karl H. — Well that doesn't surprise me. 



114 THE DRAMA OF BESTINT-KARL HANNO. 

Mourine II. — Neither me; why no! 

Titus. — Then, here is something- that will surprise you. 

Karl H . — Make short work of It. 

Titus. — Poor Prince of Grain has found a Hercules 
who is quite willing- and able, too, to save hiin 
from final ruin and destruction, and what is most 
conspicuous in the act of his drama is, that he 
ag-ain may rise in power and influence, and not 
only wipe out his crime and disg-race, but excel in 
virtue and bravery until he may rise to the pin- 
nacle of national renown. He stands a chance, 
and he may do it. 

^ar/ //. -Then, what in the name of Hercules has 
happened? 

Moufifie II. — Is it a secret? Is it a plot? 

Titus. — Not at all — His Majesty, his king and sov- 
eig-n, has pardoned him and released him from 
the imprisonment on condition that he take up 
arms to serve his country on the battlefield, and 
because of his g-reat military experience, his 
Majesty has promoted him to the rank of Field- 
marshal and has given him command of the 4th 
army. 

Karl H.— Yon don't say? 

litns. — Yes, indeed! No smoke in that. And you 
know the Prince of Grain is not a soft shell, and 
now especially since his case h?.s become desper- 
ate he will be headlong-, and without any fear 
attempt to carry the national flag- into the very 
heart of the enemy's country, and, if successful, 
the championship will belong- to him. Now you'll 
see. 

Mourine. — I wonder whether his fortuneteller knows 
anything- about that — {Lauohter.) 

Karl H. — That was a surprise, sure enough. But why 
need I be alarmed about that? 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY— KARL HANNO. 116 

Mourine IL — Why, Karl: Things are surprising. Who 
can tell what else may develop out of that? He 
may want to be revenged on you. 

Karl H. — Well, then, let the chances of luck do for the 
Prince of Grain what the gods of Hercules could 
not. And if he can save himself from national dis- 
grace and wipe out his crime, that's what we want- 
And if he shall be able to carry the national flag 
into the enemy's country, so much the better. But 
one thing I need not fear: "Thus far and no far- 
ther." Thus is written by the hand of Destiny. 

Mouri7ie II. — But Karl, my dear, what will you do to 
offset the ambitious championship of the prince? 

Tints. — Karl, you know very well that, to have a man 
without ambition is as worthless as to have a piece 
of property without a title. That's the position you 
are in now. 

Karl H. — Why Mourine, do not worry. I am wide 
awake with my eyes fixed upon the compass of life 
showing me the direction by which I shall reach my 
destination. You'll see! 

Mourine II. — Already do I see: I see the Blessing of 
all Good is smiling sweetly upon your brow as 
though the moment is coming in which you shall 
see all of your wishes answered. 

Karl H. — For I am the Child of Destiny, Mourine! 
{Karl Hamw, Mourine II. and Titus join the parlia- 
ment, which is opened by the king from the throne.) 

King. — To the servants of the state, to the subjects, and 

to the representatives of the nation : 
In God We Trust. 

In these exciting moments where is prevailing^ the thrill of 
battle-cry, undoubtedly many a heart is beating. There is noth- 
ing that occupies our mind now so vividly as does the scale of 
our national destinv in these days and the anxiety felt by every 
patriotic citizen shedding his blood on the battlefield. But, al- 



116 THE DBA.MA OF DE8TINY-KAEL HANNO. 

though the brave are slain, property distroyed, the national debts 
enormously increased, it is better, evil against evil to keep the 
Balance of Power, than for one evil to be permitted to remain, 
which then, in its evil tendency, gives birth to many more and 
even greater evils. On these, and on no other principles do we 
recognize the necessity of war, which is righteous on the part of 
the defenders; cruel, unjust, arrogant and inhuman on the part of 
the outrageous. Viewing the situation, we have our activity 
well in hand and the national machinery thus far is working 
well. But nevertheless, judging from the present events in this 
early stage of the war, the final result of the struggle cannot yet 
distinctly be determined upon, as the full strength of the national 
defense has not yet been brought to bear upon the situation. In 
the field, one or two mishaps have occurred of late in some of the 
scirmishes but our confiden:e of success is not at all shaken. In 
consequense of this, your king and sovereign finds it of the- high- 
est importance to repair to the front and assume the chief com- 
mand: The army, shall it be that of a national clockwork, must 
have a mainsping also by which it is set to univerval motion. Ye, 
the servants of the state and of the government, to you I trust 
the domestic afifairs of the government at home during my absence, 
and I do hereby appoint Mourine II. regent of the regency; Karl 
Hanno to fill the vacancy of the premier, who is to accompany 
his king and master to the battlefield as chief adviser; also Titus 
is appointed Secretary of the State. Hoping that sooner or later 
the achievement of a final victory shall be secured, and we shall 
again unite and exult in the blessings of pease and tiansquility 
for evermore. This is our prayer. {All cheer.) 

{Karl Hanno and Titus repair to the Waitins; Parlor, 
all others leave.) 

Karl H. — All thing's are made new. The sad tace of 
the past is disappearing" from my view as the mo- 
ment is nearing- in which I shall see all of my 
wishes answered. And the arrival of that mo- 
ment will close the scene. 

Tints. — Why Karl, you don't mean to say that that 
will be the last of you, do you? 

Karl H. — Yes. For the arrival of that moment is the 
fulfillment of my promised lot, and the conviction 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. H'J 

that I had of this moment in all the days of my 
life will be a reality, and the program of Destiny 
is thereby ended. 

Titus. — Why Karl, what do you really mean; do you 
mean that after that moment you will be dead, 
and buried? Don't talk so strangely. What is 
the matter with you? 

Karl H. — I say, when that moment is arrived at, the 
prog-ram of Destiny is ended. For the convic- 
tion — 

litus. — Well, I think that kind of talk is not at all 
becoming a man so highly elevated in earthly 
grandeur as you are. Your career will then really 
begin, and not as you say, be ended. Just think: 
The beauty of harmony of the different phases of 
life will find expression in the Child of Destiny, 
whose happiness is guaranteed by the Heavenly 
Powers having chargfe of your destiny, and your 
mighty wealth — 

Karl H. — Here, here, stop! You don't understand 
me. Let me finish my subject. 1 say merely 
that by the arrival of that moment the program 
of Destiny is ended — 

litus — And your career will go on, is that it? 

Karl H. — Why certainly. The dream of my life comes 
true as the moment arrives and what may follow 
thereafter is not included in this program. Don't 
you "versteh?" 

litus. — Yes. Now I "versteh"' the riddle. 

( They join parliament which is opened by Mourine 
II., the appointed Regent). 

Mourine II. — To the servants of the state, to the 
subjects, and to the representatives of the nation: 

In God We Trust. 
— In the last meetiujf of parliament it was stated 



118 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

from the throne that a few mishaps had occurred 
to our arms in the field of action and that in con- 
sequence of this our king- and sovereign deemed it 
of the hig^hest importance to repair to the front 
and assume the chief command. Further: That 
our confidence was not at all shaken and that the 
full streng-th of the country's defense had not yet 
been brought to bear on the situation. This we 
find was correct. With regard to our success 
since, we are able to say that the enemy, to a cer- 
tain extent, had been beaten, and the conclusion 
of peace was a matter of a question next to a cer^ 
tainty when to our surprise the enemy found a 
powerful ally, and the situation again changed. 
Then the difficulties of the army developed in 
double strength and the second army of 85,000 
men was checked, defeated, and is now besieged 
at St. Ruba. The first and the third armies are 
holding their own, not however without danger 
of being dislodged from their position, and rein- 
forcements are urgently needed. But this success 
of the enemy on land, we are glad to say, is met 
by a reverse on the sea by our fleet, doing great 
damage on the enemy's coast, blockading their 
harbors, capturing or destroying many of their 
vessels. All of this, be that as it is, is the for- 
tune of war, and if we want our country to tri- 
umph, the nation must be fully aware of her duty 
and tax her ability to such extent that the superi- 
ority of our arms be secured over those of the 
enemy, in spite of their combined forces. More 
men are wanted. Money is as yet plenty. But 
the government sees the necessity of resorting to 
a draft of men to muster in one more army so as to 
meet the increased forces of the enemy and bring 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. Il9 

the war to a speedy close. That the government 
will not be disappointed in what is demanded is 
our prajer. {Exit). 

Premier {Karl H.) — Citizens: With reference to the 
speech from the throne, our national warfare is 
clearl}' broug-ht to lig^ht by the fact that our 
enemy has found a powerful ally and that the 
situation has changed to our disadvantage. The 
fact that one of our armies was checked, defeated, 
and is now besieged, makes it absolutely neces- 
sary to raise one more army in addition to the 
four already in the field. Money is yet plentiful, 
and the draft of men necessary to make up the 
rank and file should be secured with little diffi- 
culty. The bill provides for 240,000 men to be 
raised immediately, and parliament is asked to 
accept the bill and let same go into power. — Is 
there any opposition to the bill? 

From the right. — Your honor: I move that parliament 
accept the bill and let same go into power. 

Premier. — The motion is made that parliament accept 
the bill and let same go into power- Is there any 
opposition? — if not, the motion is carried- 

SeC' of St. {litiis). — Your honor: a message has ar- 
rived. {Reads.) 

"Pine Valley, July 7th: The 1st and the 3d. armies were 
' ob iged to fall back, but not until after the bloody battles 
ot Sheepnose Eidg'e and Sandy River, which were fought on 
our part against vastly superior numbers. The 2nd. army at 
St. Kuba is still besieged, and is hard pressed. The Prince of 
Grain, with the ith army of 12 i,OU0 men, is sent to their re- 
lief. Hurry on the 5th ai-my, and as many of the reserve as 
there are to spare. 

"Louis Phiup IV." 

Premier. — The Minister of War is urged to carry out the 
order of the king without delay. Is there other 



120 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

business on hand? — if not, give three cheers for our 
king and his brave soldiers. Hip, hip, hip: 
Hurrah! {All cheer.) 

(Parliament is allowed a short recess, whereupon they 
dissolve into many groups discussing the country^ s de- 
fense. Mourine II. and Karl Hanno are seen having a 
short conversation aside with manifest apprehension of 
some kind. Parliament is again called to order and all 
retake their seats. ) 

Premier. — Parliament is called to proceedings. 

Sec. of St. — Your honor: A note handed in by the re- 
gent requesting the Secretary of the War-Depart- 
ment to report on the transportation of the troops. 

Sec. of W' D. — Your honor: 75,000 men are already on 
the way to the front; 150, OuO more will leave within 
two days. 

Premier. — These are certainly quick moves, but never- 
theless slow in times of war. Is there other busi- 
ness on hand? 

Sec. of Si. — Your honor : A petition is handed in pray- 
ing the regent to pardon a young civilian who shot 
and killed the lover of his girl. {Petition is for- 
warded.) 

Speaker. — Your honor: I have a bill for parliament to 
enact a law that a War -Tax be levied on all the 
great financiers. 

Prem. {aside) — That's against our interests — 
Sec {aside) — Well, turn the damper on them. 

Premier. — We are too busy now to consider the bill. 
These are war times. 

Sec. of St, — Your honor: Another petition is handed in 
praying the regent to allow immediate relief to the 
widows whose husbands have fallen in the present 
war. 

Premier. — The regent has no power to allow or to grant 
relief to the widows whose husbands have fallen in 
•this war, as this is taxing the people. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 121 

From the right. — Your honor: The petition prays for 
"immediate" relief. 

Premier. — As we are too busy now to give this case 
consideration, we will turn this matter over to a 
Special Relief Committee. 
--Is there other business •'' 

Sec. of St. — Your honor: An important message has 
arrived. {Reads.) 

"Pine Valley. July 19th: Yesterday our besieged ixruxy of 
85,000 men at St. Ruba was relieved by the Prince of Grain, 
and in consquence of his success he was given command 
ofbo.hthe2nd and the 3d armies in addition to his own. 
With this total of 280,000 men he is now marching into the 
heart of the enemy's country to invest Buda-Paar. There 
vras also a great battle fought between the enemy and the 
1st army near Goathorn Fork, in which our forces suffered 
heavy losses, but secured a victory ol great importance. 
May the country be filled with joy and confidence and cheer 
her brave soldiers. 

'•Louis Philip IV.' 

{Great cheers and shouts are devoted to the king, to the 
Prince of Grain and to their brave soldiers, whereupon 
parliament adjourns and they all leave. Titus and Karl 
H. repair to the Waiting Parlor.) 

7t'tus.—Nov/, Karl, I should like to know the Secret 
Understanding there is between you and the king. 

J^arl H. — Very well. But you know times have 
changed. Opportunities are not like they used to 
be, and when we have a matter on hand we must 
talk "snap-shot," since now we have become po- 
litical leaders. I have tied up the king; no doubt 
about that. 

7iVM.y -Then you took the Government bonds for se- 
curity, did you? 

Karl H. — I did. But understand, I durst not sell 
these bonds. 

Titus, — What use have you of the bonds if you durst 
not se41 them? 



122 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Karl H. — O, I durst sell them just as I please, but 
that would ruin the king-. 

7itus. — Heavens! Was he so hard pressed as to g^ive 
way to such barg-ainf 

Karl H. — He was. And where I made my point is 
this: In order to give Government bonds for 
security the king- made the loan appear a Public 
loan, and this was done under pretense of estab- 
lishing a^Secret Service Fund as long as the war 
would last. 

Titus. — Well that doesn't tie up the king to establish 
a Secret Service Fund. 

Karl H. — Under pretense, understand. The Secret 
Service Fund has never seen a dollar of it. 

Titus. — That's enough. I know the rest of that foul 
play. So the king's hands are tied? 

Karl H. — Hands tied until the close of the war, when 
he hopes to redeem the Government bonds with 
money paid by the vanquished enemy. 
Well I am astonished. 
Who wouldn't be? 

Titus- — But that is bad on the king-. 

Karl H. — Not at all. He will never get hurt, if he 
never hurts me. But should he ever interfere 
with my welfare I have a weapon in my hands 
that I can sway over the king- to bring- him to 
terms. 

Titus. — Yes! Since you have become a child of Des- 
tiny you are a different man. Shrewdness, dash, 
sagacity and a fearless self-confidence, these are 
traits with which now you are commanding suc- 
cess. But remember: Don't let the king get 
loose, else you'll be the one that's tied. 

Karl H. — No! Not before the war is over. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 123 

— Wait! I must, go and see ray Sweetheart, and 
her mother, about that. {Exit). 

{Enter —Mo urine II. and her royal mother) . 

Queen. — Your Excellency! 

7 tins. — Your Hig-hness I 

Queen. — Where is Karl Hanno? 

Titus. — He has just gone out to see jour Highness 
about something, but he may be right back again 
since he will not find you. 

Queen. — What was it about; does your Excellency 
know? 

Titus. — Not exactly but it is something that concerns 
the king. 

Queen. — Things are surprising and every day has a 
different face. Would you wonder to see the 
Prince of Grain a champion of the nation? 

Titus. — Strictly, I would not. In times of war there 
is every chance for an ambitious schemer to make 
himself conspicuous on the scene; but I would 
wonder if the Prince of Grain, in consequence of 
his success, should renew his old scheme and in- 
terfere with the engagement of Mourine and 
Karl Hanno. 

Mouriyte. — Who can tell his plan. Thismuch I know: 
He is coveting the throne. 

QueeU' — And the alarming fact is, the king is up- 
holding him in his tactics. It is something that 
is hard to understand when a father, to satisfy 
others, compels his own child to go against her 
own wishes and thereby sacrifice her own hap- 
piness. 

— But he may not come. Let us go back, Mourine. 
Perhaps Karl is waiting for us in the palace. 
( Ihey go. ) 

{Karl H. enters.) 



124 THB DKAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Titus, — Did you find them? 

Karl H.—l did not. 

Titus. — Ha, ha! a joke on you; they were here. 

Karl H. — What — to see me? 

Titus, — Yes! 

Karl H. — Why didn't you hold them here; what did 
they say? 

Titus. — Things are surprising, and not two days have 
faces alike, so they thought. The king, the Prince 
of Grain, both are making faces most alarming to 
them. More they did not venture to say. 

Karl H — It would not take much of a guesser to tell 
what is behind the political curtain. When the en- 
gagement of the Prince of Grain was declared "Null 
and Void," and my engagement with Mourine II. 
followed closely after, everybody thought us as good 
as married; but everybody did not think, as I do, 
that good things do not come so easily. 

Titus. — But as long as they are coming, what's the dif- 
ference? Lest you forget, I tell you again: Watch 
the old hen. {Exit.) 

{Enter Mourine II. and her royal mother. ) 

Queen. — Your Excellency — 

Karl H' — Your Highness! 

Queen.— '^x^h. regard to a matter interfering with the 
choice of Mourine II., I ask the favor of an inter- 
view. 

Karl H. — With greatest pleasure, your Highness. What 
is it? 

Queen. — Great as is the success of the Prince of Grain 
on the battlefield, in which the country is rejoicing, 
it is nevertheless disturbing my personal welfare. 
The prince is proving a great military genius and 
the king fell in love with him. 

Kmrl H.-^lt it possible? 



THE DRAMA OF DB8TINY-KARL HANNO. 126 

Queen. — It is. And in consequence of this his king and 
sovereign has promoted him to the chief command 
of all the armies in the field. 

Karl H. — That's good for the prince. 

Queen. — O yes ; but the matter does not stop here : The 
fact that the king is making so much out of the 
prince gives hints of a highhanded scheme. You 
see that right here in the promotion. 

Ka->1 H. — But this is entirely new. 

Queen. — It is. But by a private message received yes- 
terday a confidential spy has informed me of the 
fact. Now, the Prince of Grain will never become 
a member of the royal family as far as my daughter 
is concerned, as she considers the matter settled 
ever since the embezzlement became publicly known, 
from which it followed that the engagement was de- 
clared "Null and Void" — 

Mourinc. — As now he was a criminal before the law, 
understand. 

Karl i^.— Certainly. 

Queen. — And there the matter ended. All at once we 
are surprised by a letter just received in which my 
royal husband states that his Majesty is strongly in 
favor of a union of Mourine II. and the Prince of 
Grain. What an insult! 

— What I think is true, the king will insist on his 
schemes; Mourine is persistent, and the Prince of 
Grain will make trouble. What an evil! — Thinking 
as I do, that the king is acting under influences, it 
would all fall flat could this current of sympathy for 
the Prince of Gain be checked by some weigbtj'^ 
means that would cause the king to change his 
policy. In sympathy with my daughter I am 
troubled over the affair. 

Karl H.—hhl Your Highness, I was hardly prepared 



126 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

for a surprise like that. The welfare of a child 
threatened by her own father, I would not have 
thought it possible. After all: I do not think the 
king means what he says. 

Queen- — Ah! Your Excellency: Dare you think the king 
does not mean what he says? 

Karl H. — I do in this case. With him it is politics. 
Anything will do to make a bluff — 

Mourine. — But suppose he does mean what he says ; what 
will we do with this bluff? 

Karl H. — Never mind, Mourine. Your pa understands 
me. He has his hands tied in a certain secret un- 
derstanding between him and me, and he will not 
push matters to an extreme. 

Queen {siirprised) . — Is such a thing possible? 

Karl H- — Simple enough: As I think. It must have 
been known to his Majesty in the first place that the 
Prince of Grain was guilty of the ^24,000,000 embez- 
zlement while he was Hobby Treasurer. In order 
to shield the prince from public disgrace, from im- 
prisonment and also to let the contemplated marriage 
take place, the king applied to me to furnish him a 
loan of ^24,000,000— 

Queen. — "To set straight his intended son-in-law?" 

Karl /y.— That's right. 

Queen. — Well I declare! 

Karl H. — I promised him the loan, but on condition 
only that he give me security in Government bonds. 

Mourine. — Could he do that? 

Karl H. — He could under a false pretense. 

Queen. — Yes, you see right here, he is scheming all the 
time — but go on! 

Karl H. — The loan was made to appear a Public loan on 
pretense of establishing a Secret Service Fund of 
which a great war is always in need- The Secret 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO 127 

Understandij]g was, tiot to sell these bonds but to 
keep them undisturbed until the close of the war. 

Queen. — Why so? 

Karl H. — Oh ! the king would have a question to answer 
that might prove serious. 

Queen. — Serious.'' It was for the Secret Service Fund, I 
understand. 

Karl H. — Poor Secret Service Fund has never seen a 
dollar of it. 

Queen. —That is enough ! 

Mourine. — But, Karl, how will you get your money 
back? 

Karl H. — At the close of the war the Government will 
redeem these $24,000,000 bonds with money paid 
by the vanquished enemy as a War Indemnity, and 
nobody will know a thing about it- So the king is 
indebted to me for S24,000,000 until the close of the 
war. And if he does that, he has reason to fear 
that I might do this — and he will not carry matters 
to an extreme, and your Highness need not worry. 

Quee7i. — It is astonishing to think of how on the one 
hand the king was scheming to set straight the 
Prince of Grain, while on the other hand the man of 
genius was protecting himself by a well calculated 
game: Shrewdness dash, sagacity and a fearless 
selfconfidence, these are traits of your Excellency 
swaying kings and sovereigns in a degree astound- 
ing to the court of the Hobby nation. And that 
explains why the Prince of Grain is so ambitious to 
secure for himself the championship. 

Karl //.—Yet I am only the Ghild of Destiny, that's all. 

Mourine. — "Child of Destiny," what a meaning"! 
Trulv have you spoken of yourself, as wide 
awake, with your eyes fixed upon the compass of 
life showing- you the direction by which you 



iK THE DBAMA of DESTINY -KABL HANNO. 

shall reach your destination. Oh, Karl! Is 
there anybody that compares with you, a man 
who recognizes the opportunities of life, and em- 
braces them as you do? I confess there is not. 
To you we are looking up for protection, trusting 
that for your sake, my royal father will not be 
harsh to me in his further treatments. 

{Exeunt Mourine and her mother) . 

Titus {enters). — How now about the hen; are you 
watching her? 

Karl H. — I am, and she has changed her nest. 

Itius. — How is that? 

Kail H. — The Prince of Grain had success and the 
king fell in love with him. 

Titus. — You don't say. 

Karl H. — That's right. The queen received a letter 
from her royal husband in which he told her that 
he fovors a union of Mourine H. and the Prince 
of Grain. But if such should ever happen, it will 
be an unhappy one for Mourine, for she hates 
him. 

Titus. — Well, I pity the prince. And why does she 
hate him? * 

Karl H. — Because she loves me. 

Titus. — And she told you so, did she? 

Karl H. — Never! 

Titus. — Smoke, riddles, rats! You are trapped again. 

Karl H. — Never! 

Titus. — Why don't you explain yourself? 

Karl H. — Love me, and I shall give you my throne. — 

Titus. — Said it, and meant it, did she? 

Karl H- Gertainly, 

77V«j.— Who will deny it; $600,000,000; Mourine II.; 
the throne of the Hobbies; Karl, if you should g-et 



THE DKAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 1» 

Mourine, she will make you the greatest fortune 
of the three. 

Karl //. — I think you are extravag-ant in your figures, 
but maybe, you are right. ( Titus leaves, Mou- 
rine enters). 

Mourine. — Be not surprised, Karl, here is a letter; 
read it. {He reads.) 

"Dear Daughter Mourine: 

"Maj you strictl)' know this: 
"If you will not renounce jour engagement with Karl Hanno 
in favor of the Prin:e of Grain I shall disinherit you. Con- 
cerning Karl Hanno, he is a great financier, and it is true of 
hira that he is honest and of a good dispos'tion; but he is 
no soldier. The Prince of Grain, the greatest military 
genius of the nge, endowed with all the qualities of a sov. 
ereign,and a man who has saved the country from the defeat 
of arms, he is the man for the throne. Accor jing to these 
facts I am now shaping my policy, which, I hope, will not 
meet with further opposition on your part. 

"Your Royai. F.\thek." 
{Queen enters ) 

Queen.— \^ not that awful? 

Karl H. — Is it not? I cannot understand this. ( 7iius 

enters. ) 
Titus. — What has happened? 
Mourine 11. — He will disinherit me — 
Titus. — What! Disinherit Mourine 11- ? Never! and 

again: Never! Parliament shall hear you. The 

nation will answer ; Justice will answer; All will 

answer : Never ! 

Karl H. — Well, I've got the king tied up by the S24,- 
000,000 loan. He is tied. What can he do? 

Titus — That's so, Karl. And if he does that, he has 
reasons to fear that you might do this — and your 
Highness need not worry. 

{A hand is seen writing on the wall.) 



180 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Karl H. {reads) — "Child of Destiny: I am watching 
thee- Thou hast not been faithful to thy pledge to 
comply with the law that I commanded thee, name- 
ly: " "When thou shalt be seated in thy stately 
wealth thou shalt not ascribe thy success to thy 
merit, nor shalt thou use braggart's language con- 
cerning thy riches." " 
— What does this mean? 

( The Hobby Treasurer enters ) 

Hobby Ireasurer. — "To Karl Hanno, Prince of Finances: 
— "May you know that hereby I am authorized to 
release the Government bonds of the $24,000,000 
loan which was made in favor of the Prince of 
Grain, who is now able to redeem them with his 
own money, as he — the Prince of Grain — has cap- 
tured the enemy's War -Treasury of $30,000,000, 
and, according to military reward, the booty is his- 
— "The release of these bonds is the order of the 

king." 

{All are astounded.) 

Karl H.—ls this my "Mene Tekel?" 



SECTION VI. 

( The scene is the same as in the last section The true pre- 
•mier has returned from the front where he ivas assisting his king, 
and Karl Hanno is relieved of that office. The queen — king's 
wife — is appointed regent and Moutine II is relieved also of tha^ 
office. Also Titus is relieved of his office as Secretary of the State. 
The premier and the nciv secretary, after a short conversation in 
the Waiting Parlor, enter the assembly hall where parliament is 
opened by the queen, the newly appointed regent.) 

Premier {Excited) . — What can be done? The country, 
I fear, has to face a storm. If now the Prince of 
Crain is the hero of the nation, Karl Hanno, the 
Prince of Financesi is the ideal of the people; both of 
equal strength and prominence before the public, 
but not both of equal honesty, thst is true. The 
engagement of Mourine IL with Karl Hanno has 
nothing to do with parliament, but the forced abdi- 
cation of her right of succession and the disinherit- 
ance of his daughter by the king is quite another 
thing. I myself do not approve of the king's action. 
But I am charged by his Majesty to carry out his 
policy and I want your entire support in the hot de- 
bates in parliament. Remember! 

Sec. — Like a hero I can face any kind of a storm as long 
as I don't get my face scratched. 

Premier.— A.\\]okts aside: Are your documents all in 
readiness? Everything is now waiting for us. 
Hurry ! Hurry ! Hurry ! 

Sec. — {He hurries with all his might. ) Crackerty ; wreck- 
erty; who pays me for all this? 

Premier.— ^hzi's that^ 

Sec. — I say, I don't get paid in the hurry. 

/*/•«;«/«/'.— Might not get paid at all. 



188 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KABL HANNO. 

Sec. — Well that's what I wanted to know, who pays me 

for all this? 
Premier. — Never mind: If we carry the king's point we 

shall receive an empty title- 
SeC' — That suits me because there is no Income Tax to 

be paid on — Well, I am ready. Have you got your 

parliamentary ammunition powder? — I have, sir! 

{They join the session. The pretnier occupies his chair 

with the Secretary close in his rear.) 

Queen Regent' — To the servants of the state, to the sub- 
jects, and to the representatives of the nation: 

In God We Trust. 
— Our national strife at the front on the battlefield, 
has finally developed the brightest character and the 
tidings of peace may soon again reach us and 
lighten our hearts. The fall of Buda-Paar is pre- 
dicted to take place in less than a month and the 
presence of your king and sovereign at the front is 
still indispensable. On the other hand, your king 
and sovereign has forwarded a rote in which is de- 
clared the disinheritance of Mourine II., the only 
natural heir to the throne, but concerning which 
your appointed regent, as regent, has no power to 
act, as this is resting with the king, and the parlia- 
ment to give it sanction. But as for myself, as 
much as personally I am concerned in this matter, I 
condemn the act. May the Hand of Providence 
prevent evil and save his people. This is our 
prayer. {Exit. ) 

Premier — "To the pctrliament:'' 

— "Royal Declaration of Disinheritance." 
"Be it known to the Parliament and to the Representatives 
of the nation that hereby is declared the disinheritance 
of Mourine II. in consequence of which the throne of the 
Hobbies will descend to Princess Luisa, first niece of the 
Jcing; and be it further l^nown that by this act the safety of 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. ISS 

the throne as well as the interests of the country are hereby 
secure d." 

"August 10th, in the twenty-sixth year of his reia;n." 

"Louis Philip IV." 
"King of the Hobbies." 

— This declaration is awaiting- the sanction of 
parliament. 
From the Left. — Your honor: What is the reason of 

the king-'s action in this case? 
Premier. — This remains with the king- only. It is 

purely a domestic affair. 
Fr. the Center. — Your honor: If the affair is purely 
domestic, why does it need the sanction of parlia- 
ment? 

Prem. {aside) — I'm cornered! Sec. {aside) — That's what 
they wanted. 
Premier. — The reason, understand, is domestic; the 
declaration requires the sanction of parliament. 
Sec. {aside) — That was a bluff. Prem. {aside) — Well 
don't tell 'em 

Fr. the Left. — Your honor: Can parliament be satis- 
fied with this explanation? 

Sec. {aside) — You can't bluff 'em. ^xtm. {aside) — No! 
They're old politicians. 
Piemier. — Parliament has no jurisdiction over domes- 
tic affairs. 

Sec. {aside) — Will they believe that? Prem. {aside) 
— Don't ask me 
Fr. the Left. — Your honor: The king is responsible 

to the parliament. 
Premier. — That's new to me. On the contrary, the 
king is responsible only to himself, and is 
above parliament. 

Sec. (a J/V(?) — You're a liar. Prem. (aside) — ^h&t of it? 
' This is politics. 

Attorney — Your honor: Is the disinheritance of an 
heir to the throne constitutional? 



m THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Sec. {aside) — That's a new gun. He is dangerous to the 
king Prem. {aside) — Well you'll not hurt him by 
looking at him. 
Sec. — It wouldn't be had it not been for so long- in ex- 
istence in the state of the Hobby nation. 
Sec (a5zrf^)- -Support that; go on. 
Premier. — Does any one suppose the king" does not 
know the constitution? 

Sec. {aside) — Now you've told them stuff. Prem {aside) 
— What's the difference? They do the same. 
Fr. the Right. — Your honor: No trifiing- with the 

constitution. Let it have supreme power. 
Fr. the Left. — Your honor-. We understand the con- 
troversy arises from an intended marriage of 
which the king does not approve. 
l^r. the Right. — Out of order! 
Premier. — Domestic affairs before parliament are out 

of order. 
Sec. — Positively, setting aside an heir to the throne 
is constitutional, as such an act has occurred once 
before in the history of the Hobbies. 

Prem. {aside) — By joky they believe it. Sec {aside)-^- 
Well don't stop 'em. 
Attorney. — So it has, but understand, there was a rea- 
son to justify the case and I demand in the name 
of Mourine H. a reason that will justify the king's 
action. {Wild yells.) No reason! No reason 
that will justify the king's action. Innocent! In- 
nocent! She is the innocent beloved of the people- 
Attorney. — I demand that Mourine II. be permitted to 
speak: Her complaints must be heard before par- 
liament. 
Premier. — Overruled by the chair! 

Sec. {aside.)— '^ha.t did you do? Prem. [aside)— I turned 
ihe damper on them. 

}'r. the Left. — Your honor: I move that parliament take 
a vote on that. ( Universal cries. ) Let her speak! 
Let her speak! We all demand it, 



THE DEAMA OF DESTINY-KARl. HANNO. .DIK 

Premier. — Order! — Mourine II- is permitted to speak! — 
No! No! Not permitted : We demand it. — Order! — 
Mourine II. may speak. {Mourine IL enters.) 
Sec. {aside.) — What did you do that for? — Prem. 
{aside.) — None of your business. — Sec. (aside.) — En- 
force your orders. — Prem. (aside.) — Haven't got 
troops enough for that mob. 

Moufine II. — To the parliament and to the representa- 
tives of the nation : 

— He that is at peace with himself and free from 
guilt before God and men, he it is who is looking 
up to justice to be fair with the innocent. What 
else has been the policy of mine in all my life than 
to be in harmony with all that with which my re- 
sponsibility has to reckon. And even more than 
this: To make happy my people even at the cost of 
my own happiness. 

Sec. (aside.) — That speech is a He. Prem. (aside.) — 
'Twas a lawyer that wrote it, 

— But the policy of mine, in all things fair in itself, 
and in its consequence fair to others, is, to my 
regret, not rightfully understood by those whose own 
interests weigh more in the scale of personal gain 
than does my happiness. Perhaps the One fault: 
Not to part with my rights and privileges, is the 
cause of my troubles; properly do I speak of my 
engagement with Karl Hanno, the Prince of Finances, 
which was also sanctioned at one time by my royal 
father himself, as now the public has intelligence of. 
Even so, it has nevertheless settled the scheme of 
the Prince of Grain who is coveting the throne, not 
me, and to satisfy the code, I must be given him in 
marriage which b} all rights and privileges I decid- 
edly refuse to do- More it is not necessary to say, 
and parliament will well understand the cause of my 



186 THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARL HANNO. 

troubles and my rejection from the throne. ( Wild 

skouiS' ) 

— It shall never be done I Hurrah for Mourine II. 

Hurrah! Hurrah 1 Hurrah! 
Attorney — Your honor: Parliament acknowledges the 

innocence of Mourine II. 
Ft. the Center. — Your honor: It is necessary parliament 

should know the reason of the king's action, if he 

has any. 

Sec. (a«flftf.)— Shall we give it?— Prera. {aside.)—! think 
we have to. 

Premier. — The Secretary of the State will read the reason 
of the king's action. 

Sec. — Here it is: 

"To all whom it maj concern: 

"We, the king and the guardians of the constitu- 
tion, have at all times watched the interests of the country 
and the w^elfare of the people, for which reason we are pres- 
ently involved in an affair concerning the safety of the 
throne. May it be known that Mourine II., heiress to the 
throne, is making common cause with her lover, Karl 
Hanno, the Prince of Finances, in view to concluding a 
union which, in our opinion and judgment, is against the 
safety of the throne and the interests of the country, and 
duty is compeUing us to prevent this union. But as our 
efforts to that effect are by all certainty proving a failure, 
our only alternative is to reject Mourine II in favor of 
Princess Luisa, first niece of the king, who is also to form a 
union with the Prince of Grain, that thereby the safety of 
the throne and the interests of the country may be secured. 
"Louis Philip IV., 

"King of the Hobbies." 

Attorney. — So is the safety of the throne and the inter- 
ests of the country a reason for the king's action. 
Let us see : 

— Presuming the Prince of Grain will at some time 
be the husband of our future queen : The Prince 
of Grain has demonstrated in the recent past his 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 137 

dishonesty to the Government by the embezzlement 
of ?524,000,000 of public money while being Hobby 
Treasurer, and he has escaped punishment besides. 
A man in power capable of such a thing is certainly 
not to the interests of the country, and a man that 
is not to the interests of the country, and who is so 
near to the throne, is certainly not a safety for the 
throne: Consequently, the reason of the king's 
action cannot be justified — {Shouts.) Hurrah for 
Mourine II. ! 

Premier. — Order! — Accusations against his Majesty in 
parliament are out of order. 

Sec. (aside) — Arrest him — Prem. (aside)— Can't; he is 
backed by the mob. 

Ff. the Left. — Your honor: Don't you know that he is 
the Attorney of the Parliamentary Tribunal? 

Premier. — Makes no difference: The king is not a sub- 
ject. — {Shouts-) Go on! Attorney, go on ! — 
Prem: Order! — 

Sec. (aside)— kxTtsthhral arrest the Attorney, he is dan- 
gerous to the king; arrest him. — Prem. (aside) — 
Haveo't got troops enough, I tell you. See the mob! 

Attorney — Now on the other hand: 

— Presuming Karl Hanno, the Prince of Finances, 
will at some time be the husband of our future 
queen: Karl Hanno, the Prince of Finances, has 
demonstrated in the recent past his honesty to the 
Government and his patriotic devotion to the coun- 
try by furnishing the Government the staggering 
War-Loan of S425,000,000, money out of his own 
pocket, when the country was in great need. A 
man capable of such a thing is certainly to the in- 
terests of the country, and a man so devoted to the 
interests of the country, and so near to the throne, 
is certainly a safety for the throne: Consequently, 
the reason of Mourine II., not to part with her rights 



138 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 

and privileges, and the refusal concerning the Prince 
of Grain and the favoring of Karl Hanno is perfectly 
justified, and parliament cannot sanction thf Decla- 
ration of Dibinheritance of Mourine 11. ( Wild 
shouts.) Hurrah for Mourine II. ! Hurrah! 
Premier. — But the Declaration of Disinheritance by the 
sovereign can go into effect without the sanction of 
parliament and is constitutional. ( Wild yells.) 
— Never! Never! Down with the bluff! Down 
with such a folly! 

Stc. [aside.) — Hain't you ashamed? — Preni. {aside.) — 
Use anything here. 

Fr. the Cutter- — Your honor: I suggest that the Chief 
Justice of the Hobby Supreme Court define the con- 
stitution as regards this point of dispute. 

Premier. — The Chief Justice is requested to define the 
point of dispute- 

Chief Justice . — Here it is: 

"CONSTITUTION OF THE HOBBIES." 

"SECTION VIII. , Paragraph 9: Disinheritance and Rights 
of Succession. 

1st: If the succession of an heir, or heiress to the throne, if 
an heir apparent:, is either disputed or objected to, the sov- 
ereign shall have power to set aside said heir apparent by 
a decree v\'ithout the act ol parliament. 

2nd: If the succession of an heir, or heiress to the throne, 
if a natural one, is objected to by reason of his, or her inca- 
pability, or because of disloyalty to the constitution, the 
sovereign shall have power to disinherit said natural heir, 
or heiress by a Declaration of Disinheritance sanctioned by 
parliament. 

"3rd: If the succession of an heir, or heiress to the throne, 
if a natural one, is objected to by reason of an act that can- 
not be justified, his, or her right of succession is guaranteed 
by the Constitution of the Hobbies, and neither Sovereign 
nor t arliament shall have power to reject such heir, or 
heiress to the throne." 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 139 

— ( Universal roar. ) Mourine ! Mourine supreme ! 
No disinheritance! Hail! Hail! All hail Mourine 
supreme! Hurrah for Mourine II,! 

Prem. {aside ) — Well, that let's us out. — Sec. (aside.) — 
Now, what's the difference! 

Attorney. — So is the action of the king unconstitutional 
on the ground that his reason cannot be justified 
with regard to a natural heir, and I move that the 
decision of parliament shall be forwarded to the king 
in the front declaring the Declaration of Disinherit- 
ance of Mourine II. "Null and void" as his act of 
proceeding is unconstitutional. {All second the 
motion . ) 

Premier. — The motion is carried. The Secretary of the 
State is authorized to forward the decision of par- 
liament ro the king in the front as suggested in the 
motion, namely. That his act is unconstitutional 
and that we require an immediate answer. 
{Parliament is dismissed until the arrival of the king's 
answer. Mourine II. and Karl Hanfio, who was absent 
during the session, meet in the fVaiting Parlor.) 

Karl Hanno. — Mourine forever: After many storms there 
will be sunshine for I shall see at least One moment 
in life in which I shall see all of my wishes answered. 
You, the unchanged, like the immovable pier founded 
in the depths of the ebbies against which are dash- 
ing the heightened waves of the maddened sea, you 
shall see the moment of an equal degree of happi- 
ness as the Blessing of all Good is our promise : 
Though you be outrighted of the succession; though 
you be robbed of your throne, this they cannot rob 
you of, for I am the Child of Destiny. 

Mourijie. — OW. How the heart is soothed when in 
the hour of trials the soul turns again to 
thoughts most sublime. And he that is at peace 



140 THE DEAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANlNO. 

with himself, how well fitted he is to overcome 
the attacks of the foe of life when in the moment 
of despair others are perishing-. I was not so be- 
fore, but the great Teacher of Life, and especially 
the events of the very recent days, have trained 
my heart and I bow before the same dispensatory 
power before which all mortals bow. Yesterday 
Mourine II., to-day the disinherited of the throne 
of a mighty nation; and what ami now? Oh, 
Karl! Forg-et not that all this I might be spared 
if I could bear the thought of parting from you. 

Karl H' — Be not dismayed, Mourine. He that over- 
cometh shall live; and he that is trusting in the 
Blessing of all Good, shall never fall. 

Mourine. — Indeed are you the Child of Destiny, and 
the Blessing of all Good is smiling- sweetly upon 
your brow. Thrones, kingdoms, and empires fall 
short in the scale in which are weig-hed these 
things eternal of heavenly comfort. When shall 
the moment come? 

Karl H. — Perhaps soon, and when it does come, the 
moment will last forever, for these are things 
eternal. 

{Queen Regent enters and finds Mourine weeping.) 

Queen. — Mourine, dear child. Be not dismayed. The 
ug-ly face of the present will soon pass away and 
all will be made new. To-day you are the "Dis- 
inherited'' by the act of your royal papa himself, 
who, under the misleading influence of a despised 
clique of demagogues, cares more for the purpose 
' of those than for the love and happiness of his 
own child. Your papa is swaying- powerful 
armies, but you are swaving- the hearts of the peo- 
ple. And if your papa does that, they will do 
this — for your Rights and Privileges are guar- 
anteed by the Constitution of the Hobbies. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT— KARL UANNO. 141 

Mourine. — Yes, ma, but think: In a ravolutionary 
sense the constitution is but a dead letter, and 
brutal force alone will command the situation. 

Karl H. — And in spite of all this, and the fact that 
the present has assumed an ug-ly face, these thing's 
are sent to serve a purpose, for such is life. We think 
it bad, but life without the intermediate chang-es 
from ^ood to bad, and from bad to good is, in my 
estimation, not a dramatic accomplishment, and 
therefore could not be of wonderful results. The 
troubled soul will be so much the happier when 
victory comes, and a thousandfold will be re- 
warded he who has done straig^ht book-keeping' 
in the days of his life. Mourine! Remember-. 
The purpose of life has a greater meaning than 
those things that we can see. {litiis enteis). 

Titus. — Best greeting. — But why does your royal 
Highness look so sad? 

Mourine. — I beg; I beg your honor, Titus. Royalty 
on me is suspended, as I am the "Disinherited'' 
and I have lost my title. 

Titus. — In form, but not in fact. Ah! don't I know it? 

'Ka.x\(aside) — He is a delightful predictor; a great sym- 
pathizer, yes, and a great joker at times, and he never 
fishes in troubled waters. Mourine: You may now 
know how to take him. 

Mourine. — And your Honor seems to be sincere in 
the assertion? 

Titus. — Precisely so, for the nation is taking the case 
into their own hands now. Ha! It is not merely 
the parliament, nay: the nation itself. Constitu- 
tionally, the action of his Majesty cannot be 
justified, and everything is now waiting for the 
king's answer. If he will yield his schemes and 
drop the Prince of Crain, everything will go on 



la THE DRAMA OF DESTINt-KARL HAN50. 

the old footing; if he will resist and tread upon 
the constitution and force his scheme, he will be 
met with a like resistence on the part of the peo- 
ple. 

Queen. — But that would cause a revolution. 

Mourine- — Yes, and what an evil. 

Titus. — O, yes. But we hold the same policy that is 
held by his Majesty himself, namely: that it is 
better evil ag-ainst evil to keep the Balance of 
Power, than for One evil to be permitted to re- 
main, which then in its evil tendency g'ives birth 
to many more, and even greater evils. 

Mourine. — O, no! your Honor: Rather than to have 
the country converted into a bloody revolution I 
would sooner give up my throne. 

'litiis. — O, yes. The people well know the honest and 
pure character of Mourine II., and I readily ad- 
mit that your Highness refrains from a throne 
stained with blood, but understand it is now a 
matter with the people to uphold the constitution. 
"Neither the sovereign nor parliament shall have 
power to set aside a natural heir, or heiress to the 
throne by reason of an act that cannot be justi- 
fied." — Section VIII, Paragraph 9 — 3rd. 

Mourine {aside) — Ma: He knows more about our na- 
tional economy than most of our professional politi- 
cians. 
Queen (aside) — Understand: he is a self-made man. 
[Enter — The Minister of War and the Attorne^^ of P. T.) 

Attorney — Your Royal Highness, and Gentlemen of 
Honor 

Mourine. — Ever thanks to your kindness, attorney, 
for the noble defense on my behalf in parliament. 

Attorney. — Thanks; but your Royal Highness will re- 
cognize the discharge of my dniy for justice and 
rights only. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO US 

Mourtne, — But royalt}^ on me is suspended and I have 
lost mj title. 

Attorney. — Mistake: Your title, your rig^hts and 
privileg-es are in full force, and they are g-uaran- 
teed by the Constitution of tlie Hobbies, defended 
by the people. 

Titus. — And don't I know it? Ail forms of sympathy 
and devotion for Mourine II.; indig^nation over 
the disinheritance; condemnation of the action of 
the king in connection with the Prince of Grain. 
Don't I know it? I have been canvassing" through 
the country. Yes! 

Mourine II. — Just think : Before parliament the pre- 
mier made the assertion that the Declaration of Dis- 
inheritance could go into effect without the sanction 
of parliament. 

liiuS' — His Excellency must have been driven into a 
ti^iht corner? 

Attorney. — He was, and I regret that a great talent is so 
devoted to a cause of vanity and injustice. 

Karl H' — The great military achievements of the Prince 
of Grain have caught the king and the financiers of 
the country whose greed is marked by personal gain 
and vanity, mine of course not included. But thanks 
to the Almighty that by far the greater part of our 
people are not devoted to this demon. 

Queen. — Ghanging the subject: As queen recent I de- 
sire to know what parliament is going to do in case 
of the king's refusal to accept the parliamentary de- 
cision? 

Attorney. — What we shall do-' Plans are already com- 
pleted: In case of the king's refusal, parliament 
will put up a provisional government with Mourine 
II. as head of the regency, raise an army and force 
the king to recognize the constitution, which means 
the right of succession of Mourine II. 



144 THE DEAMl OF DESTINY-KAKL Hi.NNO. 

Queen,-— But the king has over 800,000 men in the field 
under his immediate command and the great military 
genius, the Prince oi Grain. 

Sec. of IVar.— And we have 2,000,000 able bodied citi- 
zens to put into uniforms, and over $200,000,000 in 
the treasury- 

A'flr/ i¥.— And Titus and I can furnish $200,000,000 
more if needed. {A/l shout.) God save the Queen! 
Hurrah! Hurrah for Mourine II. ! 
( The answer of the king has arrived and all enter the 
assembly hall to take part therein.) 

Queen Regent. — To the servants of the state, to the sub- 
jects, and to the representatives of the nation: 

In God We Trust. 
— If there is anything of marked brightness in the 
external history of the Hobbies it is at the present: 
Otr allied enemy, in number superior to us, ac- 
knowledged their defeat, as their capital is about 
ready to fall, and the stipulations of peace and treaty 
are daily contemplated. In this respect the country 
is exulting in its national security from without and 
the prestige of the army in its military achievements 
is more conspicuous than ever. In our internal af- 
fairs the situation is different. The answer of the 
king with regard to the parliamentary decision in 
the case of the disinheritance of Mourine II. has 
arrived and is in the hands of the premier. As to 
this we can rightfully emphasize that whatever may 
be the course of either of the controversing parties, 
the constitution must be abided by and upheld as 
long as there is anything to defend it with. On the 
other hand, parliament and people are cautiously 
advised to be conciliating with the king if by anv 
means this can be obtainedt This is our praj'er. 

{Exit.) 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARL HANNO. 146 

( The pretnier occupies Ihe chair, ivith the secretary close 
in his rear.) 

Premier. — The Secretary of the State will read the order 
of the parliamentary session. 

Sec. — Be it understood that the session of parliameut is 
to resume the order of the last session in the case of 
the disinheritance of Mourine II. by the king, whose 
answer is now to be acted upon by parliament. 

Premier. — What is parliament going to do: Is parlia- 
ment ready to sanction the Declaration of Disinher- 
itance? 

Attorney. — Your honor: Parliament is in suspense to 
hear the answer of the king. 

Premier. — The sovereign considers it below his dignity 
to treat with parliament on a petty question of this 
kind. He sets forth that, when a natural heir is not 
a guarantee for the safety of the throne, the right of 
succession of the natural heir is forfeited and the 
sovereign has power to disinherit said heir, or 
heiress to the throne by a Declaration of Disinherit- 
ance without the sanction of parliament, just as I 
have stated it in the last session. But this is really 
not the answer. 

Sec. {aside.) — You made that up yourself. Prem. — No, I 
wrote it down. 

Attorney- — So is the king making the constitution a dead 
letter— 

Ft. the Left.—Yonx honor: Is there any provision made 
against the violation of the constitution by the sov- 
ereign? 

Premier- — Provision is: The sovereign must abide by 
the constitution — but that's all. 

fr. the G-7tter. — Your honor: What is the real answer 
of the king? 

Premier. — It's a short one! 



146 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Sec. {aside.) — Is the passage dear in the rear? 
Trem. {aside) — What! to" run away? No, sir! 

Atto'-ney. — Your honor? Parliament is in suspense to 

hear the answer of the king. 
Premier, — Is parliament prepared to hear me read it? 
Mind you, it's a short onel 
[Shouts-) — Yes, prepared for anythingl 

^tc. {aside.) — Now, don't make a mistake. Vttta.. {aside) 
No, unless the king did. 

Premier. — Then, here is the answer of the king. All 
listen ! 

— '*In less than ten days I shall enter the capital of 
the Hobbies with the constitution fixed on the points 
of a hundred thousand bayonets. 

"lyOuis Philip IV., 

"King of the Hobbies." 
{A tremendous uproar takes possession of the entire par- 
liament hall mingled with enthusiastic shouts, and yells 
for Mourifte II. Lotid cries are heard from the left 
^'kifig, or constitution,^^ whereupon the most extreme 
radicals seize the premier and the Secretary of St'ite and 
drag ihetn down into the prison cell. Measures against 
any opf>ositiun are taken by the military authorities hav- 
ing charge of Pti'^lic Safety throughout the capital. After 
the worst storm of violence levins to settle, the leaders of 
the mob ca' I fir o>^der and Kafl Hanno is i»sixlled by 
parltatnent to preside over them under the title of'^Di- 
reit r," for the purpose of setting up a provisional gov- 
ernment. And Titus becomes his secretary to assist him.) 

Dii ecior Karl Hanno. — In consequence of the answer of 
the king which is identical with revolutionary pro- 
ceedings, we, the parliament and the representatives 
of the nation, recognize the necessity of a provisional 
government for the purpose of upholding and of de- 
feuding the country against the king, who by act of 
parliament is herewith deposed, and Mourine II. by 
right of guccession ^s his natural heir to the throne. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KAEL HANNO. 147 

proclaimed "Regent'' until the time of conflict is 
brought to a settlement — Is there any opposition? 
{Shouts.) — No opposition! All hail Mourine II. 
Hail! Hail! Hurr.ih for Mourine II. ! 

Regent Monrine IJ. — {Speech from the throne) — To the 
parliament : 

In God We Trust. 
— Viewing- the situation of these pressing mo- 
ments so forced upon us from causes that we re- 
ally do not understand, I am moved to say that I 
■ sincerely regret my position under circumstances, 
such as these. A conflict with an external enemy 
would awaken enthusiasm with manifest patri- 
otic devotion, but a conflict with an internal 
enemy, and especially a child proceeding against 
her own father is simply unnatural. But aside 
from this, there are often duties to perform which 
before right and justice are above sentiment. I 
cannot but recognize my duty to respond to the 
call of the people who with love and devotion to 
the country and its constitution are availing them- 
selves of their duty as is right and proper to do 
to maintain the position of the nation correct. 
And the duty of mine, which has devolved upon 
me on this day, I solemnly promise to be faithful 
to with the best of my knowledge in the capacity 
as Regent of the Provisional Government. This 
is our prayer. 

Director. — Thus: We adopt the following resolutions: 
— First: An army of 300,000 men to be sent im- 
mediately against the king, who is now on the 
march upon our capital. 

— Second. A proclamation of martial law to be 
issued in every city exposed to attacks and vio- 
lence from any opposition against the Provisional 
Government. 



148 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY -KARL HANKO. 

— Third: An Army Order to be issued to the 
troops under the kind's command to lay down 
arms and side w'.th the Provisional Government; 
the soldiers in case of refusal to be treated as 
rebels. 

— Fourth: A commission to be sent to our bel- 
lig-erent enemy declaring- the king- of the Hobbies 
as deposed by the Provisional Government, and 
any peace or treaty concluded with said deposed 
kino to be declared "Null and Void'' by the Pro- 
visional Government. 

— Fifth: That the Provisional Government is 
willing- to conclude peace with the bellig-erent 
enemy on terms honorable to the Hobby nation. 
— Sixth: Any time, on or before the expiration 
of eleven days after date, if the king shall sur- 
render and acknowledgre the rightful succession 
of Mourine H. as provided by the Constitution of 
the Hobbies, the king to be granted pardon and 
return to the sovereignty of power; but if the 
king after said date shall continue hostilities 
ag-ainst the country and the Provisional Govern- 
ment, the king- to be declared as dethroned. 

- Is there any opposition? 

Attorney. — The deposed king to return to the sover- 
eignty of power, is that to the interests of the 
country? 

Titus {aside).— YoMX interests, you know 
Karl {aiide) — I know, but we name it the "country's 
interests." 

Director — The term of grace stands only for a fig-ure; 
Rather than to surrender the king- would blow off 
his head. These resolutions will g-o into effect 
after bearing the signature of the regent. Par- 
liament will meet a-g-ain on further notice. 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 149 

{All leave. Karl H. and Titus repair to the Waiting 
Parlor ) 

Titus. — There is one gfood thing" about the king-: 
Whatever he intends to do he will do it aside from 
atiy two-faced proceeding". Had the answer of 
the kino- been formed in a compromising- way, we 
could not hope for decisive results. But as mat- 
ters stand now, quick will be the movements; de- 
cisive will be the stroke. One or the other will 
have to go to the wall. 

Kail n. — I can't see why the king- is so resolute in 
his purpose just now, at a time when the country 
is at war. 

Titus. — That's easy to guess. I believe now the king. 
waged war himself. Knowing" that he would 
have a conflict with parliament concerning the 
scheme of the Prince of Grain, the king" declared 
war. He has gone to the front, and he has placed 
the army under his immediate command. The 
conflict with parliament has come and he is now 
ready to make a stroke. He is a sharper. 

Karl H. — A sharper? I think he has miscalculated 
his game: The king being" away from the capi- 
tal, gives the opposing- party all the advantages in 
the world. Poor good old king". He thinks now 
he is doing something great when he can make 
the earth tremble to force through his will. You 
see he wants to make his own destiny 

Titus. — And that of the Prince of Grain, too. 

Kail H. — Certainly! And also that of the nation. 
Poor good old king, he has no idea that the 
Almighty is using him as a vassal for the pur- 
pose of carrying out my destiny. 

Titus. — Grackerty; wrecker ty; Karl, are you worth so 
much that the Almighty uses kings and nations, 



160 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

sacrificing- thousands of human lives just because 
to carry out your destiny? 
Karl H. — Don't ask me. 

litns. — Well I am not going to ask the Almighty 
neither. How is Mourine? 

Karl H.--Th.Q. unchanged Mourine for ever; free from 
guilt before God and men; sweet like the roses of 
Eden; like the lily in the valley, she is beautiful, 
and as on the day of the Yoyal Reception she 
sways my heart because she is lovely. 

litus- — That's enough! 

(Mourine II enters with an escort of two young ladies. 
She hands Karl a letter. He reads:) 

Buda-Paar, August 28th. 
"Unworthy Daughter, Mourine." 
"Upon the face of what is transpiring in the capital at 
home, together with that ridiculous term ot grace dictated 
to me in the name of parliament, of which you, and your 
lover, Karl Haano, are solely the cause, I do hereby 
solemnly set before you that if you will not part with your 
lover within three days, and give up the intended uaion 
with him; begging your pardon of me; dissolve the Pro- 
visional Government, and be henceforth an obedient 
child, you shall then be declared an "Outlaw," and your 
supporters shall be treated as rebels. After a five days 
march I shail be at the home capital with an army of 
300,000 men to execute my edict and decrees. Only One 
thing is possible for you to save your throne namely: To 
comply with my wishes and to marry the Prince of Grain. 
"Your Royal Father." 

Karl H. — What a father! What has entered the king's 

head? It is awful. 
T. Ladies. — It is dreadful. It is awful to think 

about it. 
Mourine I J. — So am I an "Outlaw." i^She sinks on 

the sofa weepings Karl and the ladies asssiting 

her.) 



THE DRAMA OF DESTIXT-KARL HANNO. 151 

littis. — Then let the iron hand of destiny decide the 
fate! 

Karl H. — Evil ag-ainst evil; free from g-uilt before 
God and men, and innocent as we ar2, Mourine, 
we can rest easy. 

Mourine II. — Unchang-ed as I am in my rig-htful policy, 
I shall remain so, since upon my conviction it is 
the guilty that ought to yield. 

{Karl and Titus remain. The others leave.) 

Titus. — Confound it! he is a wicked king. 

Karl H. — You are satisfied of that, are you? 

Tttus. — Yes! and I wouldn't regret it at all to see his 
head go down into the barrel and there have a 
quarrel with Mephistopheles. 

Karl H. — What good would that do us? 

Titus. — Good deal of good ; he'd be out of the way. 
Don't you see the point? 

Karl H.—^o\ The Child of Destiny shall keep his 
hands clean from anyone's blood, even should I 
fail in my purpose, which could be only a wicked 
one. But if Destiny will dispose of all odds now 
against me and lead me to victory, I have no ob- 
jection. 

Titus. — And that's just what it will do. Let them 
plot against you; let them scheme as much as 
they please: the king and the Prince of Grain will 
find out that man is not the maker of his own 
destiny. 

Karl H. — Just now they've got the best end of the 
rope. 

Titus. — It will avail them nothing. You know how 
that goes: Suddenly heaven will change its face 
again, push you on to the front, and prostrate 
will lay the odds now against you — 

Karl H. — That is to say that they have the best end 



162 THE DBAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

of the rope, but that I have the better hold. Is 
' that it? 

Titus. — Yes! For you are the Child of Destiny, wrek- 
erty crackerty! {Exeunt^) 

{Enter— Moutine II. escorted by two young; lady ser- 
vants, her royal mother, the Attorney, the Secretary of 
War and the Chief Advisor.) 

Mourine II. {all do her homage) — This day will reach 
the climax of the crisis [shouts)— God save the 
queen. Hurrah! Hurrah for Mourine II. — con- 
tinued — I have just received a letter from my 
royal father in which he demands the dissolution 
of the Provisional g-overnment and demands to 
know within three days whether or not I will part 
with my policy and comply with his wishes; if 
not, I shall be an "Outlaw" and my supporters 
shall be treated as rebels. In addition to that, I 
can only save my throne upon condition of con- 
' eluding- a union with the Prince of Grain. I ask 
your advice. 

Advisor. — Your Royal Highness is advised to remain 
steadfast in your policy which is acknowledg^ed 
by the Provisional Government. 

Sec. of War. — So is the army of the Provisional Gov- 
ernment of 300,000 men now ready to meet the 
king at any time. 

Mourine II.— Bnt the king has over 800,000. 
Sec- of War. — Yes, yes, your Highness, I understand, 
but we have 2,000,000 militia. {A message is brought 
in. He reads.) lyisten! 

"300,000 men under the king's command have deserted 
and will join the cause of the Provisional Govern- 
ment." — Now then are the forces about equal and 
we are a little bit ahead. Mind you: One great 
stroke will decide it all. {Enter — Karl H. and 
Titus.) 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KABL HANNO. 163 

lituS' — {Excited.) Nonsense! — Why not at once crown 
Mourine II. and proclaim her queen? 

Attorney. — For one reason: The term of grace has not 
yet expired. 

Advisor. — And for another reason : Should the king's 
arms triumph over those of the Provisional Govern- 
ment, the fate of Mourine II. would be harder than 
ever. Let things develop to maturity! 

Mourine II. — And I would object to anything too hastily 
done. We must follow events. I am not in sym- 
pathy with imprudent measures. 

Queen. — No! It will not do. The outcome of the con- 
flict with the king must first be awaited. All else 
must be suspended. 

Advisot — And should the Provisional Government tri- 
umph, Mourine II. may be crowned, and be pro- 
claimed "Queen of the Hobbies." 

Mourine II. — But remember: Whatever you will do, be 
conciliating. {Exit.) 

Advisor. — I suggest that the crowning of Mourine II. 
and her marriage with Karl Hanno take place at the 
same time. 

Karl H. — But only after the conflict with the king. 

Advisot. — It will be necessary for these points to be 
brought before parliament. 

Attorney- — Certainly: All points having a political bear- 
ing must be brought before parliament. And now: 
Hip, hip, hip, hurrah for Mourine II. and Karl 
Hanno — Hurrah ! 

{All leave. Karl H. and Titus remain). 

Karl H. — Great heavens! If everybody should have 
such trouble about getting a man's daughter — 

7z7w5.--Thpn what? 

Karl H.—YL^ would have Bills of Trouble. 

Titus- — Exactly; you see that's all the father gets. I 
don't blame him. 



154 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL RANNO. 

Karl H. — And as for me? — 

Titus. — For you? Keep right in the channel of the 
moving events- 

Karl H. — O, certainly! Hope not to strike apolitical 
sandbar. 

Titus. — No! it will be a rock, if anything. 

Karl H. — And founder? O, no! Heaven forbid. But, 
however things may go, Titus, we shall stay together. 

Titus. — So we shall, according to our pledges made with 
each other, never to part in our combined efforts 
until the fairest conditions of life and happiness are 
established, and to share our lot with each other. 

Karl H. — Indeed we shall, Titus, for these are my sin- 
cere wishes, and whatever my welfare may be in 
the days yet to come, remember, you shall share it 
with me. And if it comes to pass that sooner or 
later I shall be seated on the throne of this mighty 
nation, you shall share half of my power and glory., 

Titus. — I see in you the man in his original purity. 
Many, many, when they become prominent men 
forget those thej have left behind them. Not so 
with us: The world will recognize the true ex- 
ample that we have set before them: that we have 
never left each other in destitution; when one 
had more than the other, we have cheerfully 
divided; when one was happy, we both were. We 
have loved each other with manly love, and we 
have S3'mpathized with each other's misfortune. 
Thousands of men will feel guilty of their selfish- 
ness when looking this example of ours in the 
face, and without this example there is no hope 
for paradise ever to return again. 

Karl H. — Thoughts most sublime these are corning 
forth from the depth of your soul in his original 
purity, Titus. But these are words that can 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 166 

hardly be weighed in the scale of the world's 
estimation, and I fear the world will not recog- 
nize our example inasmuch as the world is not 
true to herself. Paradise is lost to man because 
man has lost his original purity. But paradise is 
still there where purity exists, and if the world 
will not recognize our example, we shall never- 
theless part, nor part with this immortal ex- 
ample. 

{Maurine enters, Titus does her highness homage and 
leaves the room). 

Mourine II. — Karl forever; Mourine forever: No words 
can express the weight felt upon, my soul. No 
man has ever been so great to stay the hand of 
Destiny. King, or queen, or whatever sovereign 
he may be, his veto does amount to nothing in 
this case. Where is the man that makes his own 
destiny. And who is He that makes mine? 
Trembling I stand before the laws supreme; alas! 
here is no appeal. But I am the same Un- 
changed Mourine forever, against whom shall 
founder anything that shall come between us. 
This is all that I can say to-day. And if we do 
not triumph, we must perish as I am declared an 
"Outlaw" by my royal father. 

Karl H. — Mourine forever ; Karl forever : Think that 
it is not man who is making destiny for another. 
Right and justice will remain with the innocent 
and it is the guilty that shall perish. You are 
Mourine II., Regent of the Provisional Govern- 
ment. The nation stands by you as a unit and 
they are ready to serve at your command. Oh, 
Mourine! How yet are you so highly exalted even 
though the situation is as it is to-day. And when 
the moment will come in which I shall see all of 



156 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

my wishes answered, all will be made new and the 
Sun of happiness shall rise over us and shine for 
ever. For I am the Child of Destiny. 
( They join parlia ment) . 

Mourine II. — To the Parliament of the Provisional 
Government and to the representatives of the 
nation: 

In God We Trust. 
— To-day our beloved nation is weighed in the 
Scale of Destiny and it will be decided by men 
and arms what was decided in the council of the 
Higher Ordinance long- before this. We cannot 
forbid ourselves to think that'our cause is fairly 
entitled to victory when we consider that we are 
in harmony with the constitution, and that the un- 
just cause will not be permitted to triumph over 
the just one. Intelligence has reached us that 
the foreign war has ceased, and peace is con- 
clued. This is to say that the king has his hands 
free to turn them against us with the whole force 
under his command. He is now demanding the 
dissolution of the Provisional Government and 
our unconditional surrender. On the other hand 
we delight in the fact that 300,000 men under the 
king's command have deserted and joined our 
cause The opposing forces are now about equal 
and by this desertion we hope that our national 
cause will triumph and bring the conflict to a 
spviedy close. This is our prayer. {Exit). 

Director {K. //).— The Committee of Public Safety 
is charged to take measures against all sympa- 
thizers of the king to secure order throughout the 
capital. 

Attorney. — Your honor: The fate of the Provisional 
Government must be decided to-day, and in the 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KAEL HANNO. 167 

name of parliament I sug-g-est that if the cause of 
the Provisional Government shall triumph on this 
day, Mourine II., the only natural and rightful 
heir lo the throne, shall be crowned and be pro- 
' claimed "Mourine II., Queen of the Hobbies.'' 

{All shetit). 

— No opposition! Hurrah! for Mourine II. Hur- 
rah! 

Director {K. H.) — The sug-orestion is carried without 
opposition, — Now what I desire to say reg-arding 
myself, is this: This day wesball either triumph, 
or perish with our cause, and I do hereby solemn- 
ly promise before her royal Hig^hness and before 
the representatives of the nation that if the cause 
of the Provisional Government shall triumoh this 
day, I shall relieve the nation of $200,000,000 
national debt. 

Queen {king's -wife). — How am I moved by the patri- 
otic devotion of your Excellency, Karl Hanno. 
The nation alone is able to reward you for a deed 
so unique in the history of the Hobbies. And in 
my royal capacity I do hereby express my wish 
before parliament, that on this day, if the cause 
of the Provisional Government shall triumph, 
Mourine II., my only daughter and child, shall be 
given you in marriage as at one time this was 
sanctioned by her royal father himself. {Enthii- 
siastic shouts from all quarters). Hurrah for Karl 
Hanno! The country cheers. Peace and tran- 
quility shall return ag-ain, and justice shall reign. 
Hurrah for Mourine II. and Karl Hanno! 

Director {K. H ) —I find no words to tell the gratitude 
felt at my heart toward your royal Highness and 
toward all who have aided me in attaining my 
fortunate lot. And if this is a personal concern- 



168 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

ment on the one hand, I am on the other equally 
as much grateful to all those who are bound by 
faith to stand by the standard of national unity 
and by the constitution of the land. And those 
who have a share in the g-overnment and have 
g-iven their aid to the cause of right and justice, 
they shall be remembered with due reward as soon 
as I shall be in a position enabling me to do jus- 
tice to their claims. 

— {All shout) — Hurrah for Karl Hanno! Hip! 
Hip! Hip! Hurrah! 
Sec. Titus. — To all whom it may concern! — I, the un- 
disputed bearer of evidence in all cases concern- 
ing the honest character of Karl Hanno, do 
hereby bear witness before the multitudes of men 
of all shades and colors that the conduct of his 
life up to the present moment has been such, as to 
compare with the most pure among' men. I have 
known him from his childhood and the marks he 
has left behind him are such as can be found on 
the records of men who have complied with their 
duties toward God and men. Thinking as we do 
that after this day he shall be a partner on the 
throne by the union with the equally honest and 
pure Mourine II., if Destiny shall this day let our 
cause triumph, the country may henceforth look 
with confidence and trust up tb the throne whose 
safety then shall be secured, and the Constitution 
of the Hobbies be respected. 

Upon My Name Titus. 

(Mourifie II. enters. She betrays apprehension and takes 
Karl Hanno a moment aside before she speaks). 

Moufine II. — To the Parliament: 

—I am amazed. I apprehend danger to our cause. 
Yesterday the message came in that 300,000 men of 



THE DRAMA OF DESTI\Y-KARL HANNO. 169 

our troops were confronting the king and the great 
military genius, the Prince of Grain, to decide the 
great battle of to- day. And just now I have receiv- 
ed another message that five cities have revolted 
against the Provisional Government in consequence 
of a proclamation issued by the king. What will 
come out of all this? It is awful! — Listen! All 
listen to me : 

— Thus far there has not been one drop of blood 
shed for the sake of our cause, as far as we know, 
but what will be the ugly report of the great battle 
fought to-day? And what will follow next? Even 
the fact that we will tiiumph over the king, it is all 
the same horrible for me to think of raising my hand 
against my father, however wrong he may be in his 
action against me. And he will not give up. Thou- 
sands of valuable lives will be lost and property 
ruined. And on our part, just because to uphold 
the right of succession? — I will abdicate and sur- 
render my right of succession to whomever it may 
go, just for humanity's sake to avoid all these evils. 
I, and my intended companion for life, we can be 
happy without a throne. Vainglory is not the mo- 
tive of onr ambition when this is to be reached by 
horrors, such as are threatening now. It is true 
that the duties before rights and justice are above 
sentiment, but on the other hand I refiain from a 
throne stained with blood, and this is equally true 
of my Lover. 
Karl H. {Director.) — In speaking for myself, I confiim 
her statements. We can be happy without a throne: 
Being in control of 8600,000,000 I can buy a king- 
dom of ray own if I want one, and we can afford to 
enjoy all that this world can give. And a throne, 
stained with blood, will certainly not increase my 
happiness, 



160 THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 

Attorney. — Your Highness, your Excellency: I speak 
in the name of parliament, that this conflict with the 

king is a matter with the people; the constitution 

must not be made a dead letter and the rights of 
succession must be regarded. It is the people's case, 
not merely your's. 

Sec. ( Titwis) — Your Honor, your Royal Highness, listen! 
It will all be decided to-day, and at the very worst, 
by one great battle, and the loss of life, and property, 
will not be so great as would be the loss of our con- 
stitution. Just await the result of to-day. 

Queen. — And I can say this much for my royal husband, 
that, if the great battle> of to day should result in 
his defeat, he will not sacrifice anything more for 
the Prince of Grain. Just wait! 

hr. the Left. — Your honor: The interests of the king 
go further than the manifest interests in the Prince 
of Grain: He stumbles too much over the constitu- 
tion and he wants to do away with it. {Shouts). 
Such a king we don't want! 

(A messenger enters and hands a message to the secretary. 
He reads.) 

Sec. {Titus).— K\\ listen! 

— "The result of to-day: 

— "The king shares the same lot with Alexander 
the Great : Yesterday, a very hot day, and being 
exhausted, the king was drinking too much wine, 
and suddenly a very hot fever fell upon him which 
could not be checked. He died a natural death 
early this morning at four o'clock before a drop of 
blood of the intended great battle of the day was 
drawn. In consequence of this, all the troops under 
his command have laid down arms and treat for 
pardon, on the ground that, as true soldiers, they 
were simply obeying the king. The remains of the 



THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. 161 

king are on the way home. And the Prince of Grain* 

has escaped to America. 

— "Signed by the Commander-in-Chief of the army 

of the Provisional Government." 

{Universal joy takes possession of the parliament hall 

and from all quarters enthusiastic shouts are heard 

for Moutine II. and Karl Hanno, who, in a standing 

position, have clasped hatids together, while the Attorney 

is bearing the crown, with Titus assisting hirn ) 

Attorney. — Mourine IL, the only natural heir to the 
throne, now after the king's death is hereby pro- 
claimed "Mourine II., Queen of the Hobbies." 
Here is the crown of the Hobby nation, and a throne 
not stained with blood- 

{She takes the croivn and places it upon her brow herself 
and is proclaimed ''Queen of the Hobbies.") 

Sec. {Titus- He places his hand upon the locked hands 
of Mourine II. and Karl Hanno.) — This is to cer- 
tify that a Union of Karl Hanno and Mourine II. is 
now concluded by this matrimony. They being now 
husband*and wife together. 

Queen Alourine II. — As I have no natural heirs, it is 
constitutional to abdicate my throne in favor of my 
husband, and I do under this Act in presence of 
parliament transfer my crown to my husband under 
the title of "Karl Hanno I., King of the Hobbies." 
{Karl Hanno wears the crown. He is cheered front all 
quarters '"King of the Hobbies'\ the ideal of the people, 
and Mourine, the innocent beloved, his companion.) 

Karl Hanno /.—This is the moment in which I see now 
all of my wishes answered: Child of Destiny; 
§600,000,000; Mourine Mine Forever; King of the 
Hobbies. The dream of my life has now become a 
reality and the Program of Destiny has ended. 

{All leave.) 
[The End.] 



SEP 27 1900 



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